User interface for manipulating user interface objects with magnetic properties

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to user interfaces for manipulating user interface objects. A device, including a display and a rotatable input mechanism, is described in relation to manipulating user interface objects. In some examples, the manipulation of the object is a scroll, zoom, or rotate of the object. In other examples, objects are selected in accordance with simulated magnetic properties.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of International Patent ApplicationSerial Number PCT/US2014/053961, filed Sep. 3, 2014, entitled “USERINTERFACE FOR MANIPULATING USER INTERFACE OBJECTS WITH MAGNETICPROPERTIES”, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/873,356, filed Sep. 3, 2013, entitled “CROWNINPUT FOR A WEARABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE”; U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/873,359, filed Sep. 3, 2013, entitled “USERINTERFACE OBJECT MANIPULATIONS IN A USER INTERFACE”; U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 61/959,851, filed Sep. 3, 2013, entitled“USER INTERFACE FOR MANIPULATING USER INTERFACE OBJECTS”; and U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/873,360, filed Sep. 3, 2013,entitled “USER INTERFACE FOR MANIPULATING USER INTERFACE OBJECTS WITHMAGNETIC PROPERTIES”. The content of these applications is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

This application is related to International Patent Application SerialNumber PCT/US2014/053951, filed Sep. 3, 2014, entitled “CROWN INPUT FORA WEARABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE”; International Patent Application SerialNumber PCT/US2014/053957, filed Sep. 3, 2014, entitled “USER INTERFACEFOR MANIPULATING USER INTERFACE OBJECTS”; and International PatentApplication Serial Number PCT/US2014/053958 filed Sep. 3, 2014, entitled“USER INTERFACE OBJECT MANIPULATIONS IN A USER INTERFACE”. The contentof these applications is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety for all purposes.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to computer user interfaces,and more specifically to manipulating user interface objects using arotatable input mechanism.

BACKGROUND

Advanced personal electronic devices can have small form factors. Use ofsuch personal electronic devices involves manipulation of user interfaceobjects on display screens which also have small form factors thatcomplement the design of the personal electronic devices.

Exemplary manipulations that users can perform on personal electronicdevices include navigating a hierarchy, selecting a user interfaceobject, adjusting the position, zoom, and rotation of user interfaceobjects, or otherwise manipulating user interface objects. Exemplaryuser interface objects include documents, digital images, video, text,icons, and maps.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Some techniques for manipulating user interface objects usingreduced-size touch-sensitive displays, however, are generally cumbersomeand inefficient. For example, it may be difficult for the user toprecisely scroll a document object to a scroll position within a rangeof potential scroll positions that properly aligns the desired contentwith the viewable display. For another example, it may be difficult forthe user to precisely change the magnification of an image object to adesired zoom size within a range of potential zoom size. For anotherexample, it may be difficult to for the user select a particular userinterface object. Existing techniques require more time than necessarywhen the user attempts to perform tasks, wasting user time and deviceenergy. This latter consideration is particularly important inbattery-operated devices. Thus, existing methods for manipulating userinterface objects on reduced-size touch-sensitive displays can beinefficient and provide less precision than is preferable.

Accordingly, there is a need for electronic devices with faster, moreefficient, and more precise methods and interfaces for manipulating userinterface objects. Such methods and interfaces optionally complement orreplace conventional methods for manipulating user interface objects.Such methods and interfaces reduce the cognitive burden on a user andproduce a more efficient human-machine interface. For battery-operatedcomputing devices, such methods and interfaces conserve power andincrease the time between battery charges.

The above deficiencies and other problems associated with userinterfaces for computing devices for manipulating user interface objectsare reduced or eliminated by the disclosed devices. In some embodiments,the device is a desktop computer. In some embodiments, the device isportable (e.g., a notebook computer, tablet computer, or handhelddevice). In some embodiments, the device has a touchpad. In someembodiments, the device is user-wearable. In some embodiments, thedevice has a touch-sensitive display (also known as a “touch screen” or“touch screen display”). In some embodiments, the device has a displayand a touch-sensitive surface. In some embodiments, the device has arotatable input mechanism. In some embodiments, the device has agraphical user interface (GUI), one or more processors, memory and oneor more modules, programs or sets of instructions stored in the memoryfor performing multiple functions. In some embodiments, the userinteracts with the GUI primarily through rotation of the rotatable inputmechanism and gestures on the touch-sensitive surface. Executableinstructions for performing these functions may be included in acomputer readable storage medium or other computer program productconfigured for execution by one or more processors.

In accordance with some embodiments, a method is performed at anelectronic device with a display and a rotatable input mechanism. Themethod includes: displaying, on the display, an object in accordancewith a value of a characteristic of the object, the value being within arange of values of the characteristic; receiving a user input request,the user input request representing rotation of the rotatable inputmechanism; determining whether the value of the characteristic of theobject is within a predetermined subset of the range of values of thecharacteristic; in accordance with a determination that the value of thecharacteristic of the object is within the predetermined subset of therange of values of the characteristic, updating the value of thecharacteristic of the object within the range of values of thecharacteristic based on the user input request and in accordance with afirst function; in accordance with a determination that the value of thecharacteristic of the object is not within the predetermined subset ofthe range of values of the characteristic, updating the value of thecharacteristic of the object within the range of values of thecharacteristic based on the user input request and in accordance with asecond function, wherein the first function and the second function aredifferent functions; and updating display of the object in accordancewith the updated value of the characteristic of the object.

In accordance with some embodiments, a method is performed at anelectronic device with a display and a rotatable input mechanism. Themethod includes: displaying, on the display, an object in accordancewith a value of a characteristic of the object, the value being within arange of values of the characteristic; receiving a user input request,the user input request representing rotation of the rotatable inputmechanism; in response to receiving the user input request, determiningwhether the user input request causes the value of the characteristic ofthe object to transition into range of a zone of an anchor, the anchorhaving a start value, an intermediate value, and an end value within therange of values of the characteristic, and the zone of the anchor beingbetween the start value and the end value; and in accordance with adetermination that the user input request causes the value of thecharacteristic of the object to transition into range of the zone of theanchor: updating the value of the characteristic of the object based onthe intermediate value of the anchor; and updating display of the objectin accordance with the updated value of the characteristic of theobject.

In accordance with some embodiments, a method is performed at anelectronic device with a display and a rotatable input mechanism. Themethod includes: displaying, on the display, an object in accordancewith a value of a characteristic of the object, the value being within arange of values of the characteristic; receiving a user input request,the user input request representing rotation of the rotatable inputmechanism; in response to receiving the user input request: updating thevalue of the characteristic of the object within the range of values ofthe characteristic based on the user input request; updating display ofthe object in accordance with the updated value of the characteristic ofthe object; identifying a closest anchor to the updated value of thecharacteristic of the object, the closest anchor identified from amongat least a first anchor having a corresponding intermediate value and asecond anchor having a corresponding intermediate value; subsequentlyupdating the value of the characteristic of the object based on thecorresponding intermediate value of the identified closest anchor; andupdating display of the object in accordance with the subsequentlyupdated value of the characteristic of the object.

In accordance with some embodiments, a method is performed at anelectronic device with a display and a rotatable input mechanism. Themethod includes: displaying, on the display, an object, wherein theobject is associated with a first marker having a first value and asecond marker having a second value, and wherein a value of acharacteristic of the object is based on the first value of the firstmarker; receiving user input representing rotation of the rotatableinput mechanism; in response to receiving the user input representingrotation of the rotatable input mechanism, determining whether anattribute of the user input exceeds a threshold value; in accordancewith a determination that the attribute of the user input exceeds thethreshold value, updating the value of the characteristic of the objectbased on the second value of the second marker; and updating display ofthe object in accordance with the updated value of the characteristic ofthe object.

In accordance with some embodiments, a method is performed at anelectronic device. The method includes: displaying of a plurality ofselectable elements on a touch-sensitive display of a wearableelectronic device, each selectable element of the plurality ofselectable elements associated with a corresponding magnetic value;determining a change in a crown distance value, wherein the crowndistance value is based on an angular displacement of a crown of thewearable electronic device; determining a direction based on a directionof rotation of the physical crown of the wearable electronic device; andin response to determining the change in the crown distance value:moving a focus selector toward an element of the plurality of selectableelements, and changing a focus of an element of the plurality ofselectable elements, wherein the movement is at least initially in thedetermined direction and a rate of the movement is changed based atleast on a magnetic value associated with the selection element.

In accordance with some embodiments, a method is performed at anelectronic device. The method includes: displaying a plurality ofselectable elements on a touch-sensitive display of a wearableelectronic device, each selectable element of the plurality ofselectable elements associated with a corresponding magnetic value;determining a change in a crown distance value, wherein the crowndistance value is based on an angular displacement of a physical crownof the wearable electronic device; determining a direction based on adirection of rotation of the crown; and in response to determining thechange in the crown distance value: scrolling the plurality ofselectable elements on the display in the determined direction, andchanging a focus of a selectable element of the plurality of selectableelements, wherein a rate of the scrolling is changed based at least on avirtual magnetic attraction between an element of the plurality ofselectable elements and a focus area.

In accordance with some embodiments, a method is performed at anelectronic device. The method includes: displaying an object on atouch-sensitive display of a wearable electronic device; determining achange in a crown distance value, wherein the crown distance value isbased on an angular displacement of a crown; modifying the appearance ofthe object based on the change in the crown distance value; determiningbased on the modified appearance of the object whether a criterion issatisfied; and in response to a determination that the criterion issatisfied, generating a tactile output at the wearable electronicdevice.

Thus, devices are provided with faster, more efficient, and more precisemethods and interfaces for manipulating user interface objects, therebyincreasing the effectiveness, efficiency, and user satisfaction withsuch devices. Such methods and interfaces may complement or replaceconventional methods for manipulating user interface objects.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

For a better understanding of the various described embodiments,reference should be made to the Description of Embodiments below, inconjunction with the following drawings in which like reference numeralsrefer to corresponding parts throughout the figures.

FIG. 1A is a block diagram illustrating a portable multifunction devicewith a touch-sensitive display in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 1B is a block diagram illustrating exemplary components for eventhandling in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates a portable multifunction device having a touch screenin accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary multifunction device with adisplay and a touch-sensitive surface in accordance with someembodiments.

FIG. 4A illustrates an exemplary user interface for a menu ofapplications on a portable multifunction device in accordance with someembodiments.

FIG. 4B illustrates an exemplary user interface for a multifunctiondevice with a touch-sensitive surface that is separate from the displayin accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 5A illustrates a personal electronic device in accordance with someembodiments.

FIG. 5B is a block diagram illustrating a personal electronic device inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 5C illustrates an exemplary wearable electronic device according tovarious examples.

FIG. 5D illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary wearable electronicdevice according to various examples.

FIGS. 6A-6F illustrate exemplary user interfaces for manipulating a userinterface object in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary process formanipulating a user interface object in accordance with someembodiments.

FIGS. 8A-8F illustrate exemplary user interfaces for manipulating a userinterface object in accordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 8G-8H illustrate exemplary user interfaces for manipulating a userinterface object in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 9A is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary process formanipulating a user interface object in accordance with someembodiments.

FIG. 9B is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary process formanipulating a user interface object in accordance with someembodiments.

FIGS. 10A-10B illustrate exemplary user interfaces for manipulating auser interface object in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary process formanipulating a user interface object in accordance with someembodiments.

FIG. 12 illustrates a functional block diagram in accordance with someembodiments.

FIGS. 13A-13J illustrate exemplary graphical user interfaces forselecting an element using physics-based magnetic modeling in accordancewith some embodiments.

FIG. 13K is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary process forselecting an element using physics-based magnetic modeling in accordancewith some embodiments.

FIGS. 14-21 illustrate exemplary graphical user interfaces for selectingan element from among elements with varying magnetic values inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 22 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary process forselecting an element from among elements with varying magnetic values inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 23-30 illustrate exemplary graphical user interfaces for selectingan element using physics-based magnetic and spring modeling inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 31 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary process forselecting an element using physics-based magnetic and spring modeling inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 32-38 illustrate exemplary graphical user interfaces for selectingan element using a focus area and physics-based magnetic modeling.

FIG. 39 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary process forselecting an element using a focus area and physics-based magneticmodeling.

FIGS. 40-45 illustrate exemplary graphical user interfaces for selectingan element using a focus area and physics-based magnetic and springmodeling.

FIG. 46 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary process forselecting an element using a focus area and physics-based magnetic andspring modeling.

FIG. 47 illustrates an exemplary computing system for manipulating auser interface in response to a rotation of a crown according to variousexamples.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The following description sets forth exemplary methods, parameters andthe like. It should be recognized, however, that such description is notintended as a limitation on the scope of the present disclosure but isinstead provided as a description of exemplary embodiments.

There is a need for electronic devices that provide efficient andprecise access to manipulate user interface objects. For example, easeof use for scrolling a document, zooming an image, rotating an image,and selecting an option from among a plurality of options contribute tothe efficiency of manipulating user interface objects. Such techniquescan reduce the cognitive burden on a user who manipulates user interfaceobjects, thereby enhancing productivity. Further, such techniques canreduce processor and battery power otherwise wasted on redundant userinputs.

Below, FIGS. 1A-1B, 2, 3, 4A-4B, and 5A-5D provide a description ofexemplary devices for performing the techniques for manipulating userinterface objects. FIGS. 6A-6F, 8A-8H, 10A-10B, 13A-13J, 14-21, 23-30,32-38, and 40-45 illustrate exemplary user interfaces for manipulatinguser interface objects. The user interfaces in the figures are also usedto illustrate the processes described below, including the processes inFIGS. 7, 9A, 9B, 11, 13K, 22, 31, 39, and 46.

Although the following description uses terms first, second, etc. todescribe various elements, these elements should not be limited by theterms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element fromanother. For example, a first touch could be termed a second touch, and,similarly, a second touch could be termed a first touch, withoutdeparting from the scope of the various described embodiments. The firsttouch and the second touch are both touches, but they are not the sametouch.

The terminology used in the description of the various describedembodiments herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used in thedescription of the various described embodiments and the appendedclaims, the singular forms “a”, “an,” and “the” are intended to includethe plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will also be understood that the term “and/or” as usedherein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations ofone or more of the associated listed items. It will be furtherunderstood that the terms “includes,” “including,” “comprises,” and/or“comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence ofstated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/orcomponents, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or moreother features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components,and/or groups thereof.

The term “if” may be construed to mean “when” or “upon” or “in responseto determining” or “in response to detecting,” depending on the context.Similarly, the phrase “if it is determined” or “if [a stated conditionor event] is detected” may be construed to mean “upon determining” or“in response to determining” or “upon detecting [the stated condition orevent]” or “in response to detecting [the stated condition or event],”depending on the context.

Embodiments of electronic devices, user interfaces for such devices, andassociated processes for using such devices are described. In someembodiments, the device is a portable communications device, such as amobile telephone, that also contains other functions, such as PDA and/ormusic player functions. Exemplary embodiments of portable multifunctiondevices include, without limitation, the iPhone®, iPod Touch®, and iPad®devices from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. Other portable electronicdevices, such as laptops or tablet computers with touch-sensitivesurfaces (e.g., touch screen displays and/or touch pads), are,optionally, used. It should also be understood that, in someembodiments, the device is not a portable communications device, but isa desktop computer with a touch-sensitive surface (e.g., a touch screendisplay and/or a touch pad).

In the discussion that follows, an electronic device that includes adisplay and a touch-sensitive surface is described. It should beunderstood, however, that the electronic device optionally includes oneor more other physical user-interface devices, such as a physicalkeyboard, a mouse and/or a joystick.

The device may support a variety of applications, such as one or more ofthe following: a drawing application, a presentation application, a wordprocessing application, a website creation application, a disk authoringapplication, a spreadsheet application, a gaming application, atelephone application, a video conferencing application, an e-mailapplication, an instant messaging application, a workout supportapplication, a photo management application, a digital cameraapplication, a digital video camera application, a web browsingapplication, a digital music player application, and/or a digital videoplayer application.

The various applications that are executed on the device optionally useat least one common physical user-interface device, such as thetouch-sensitive surface. One or more functions of the touch-sensitivesurface as well as corresponding information displayed on the deviceare, optionally, adjusted and/or varied from one application to the nextand/or within a respective application. In this way, a common physicalarchitecture (such as the touch-sensitive surface) of the deviceoptionally supports the variety of applications with user interfacesthat are intuitive and transparent to the user.

Attention is now directed toward embodiments of portable devices withtouch-sensitive displays. FIG. 1A is a block diagram illustratingportable multifunction device 100 with touch-sensitive displays 112 inaccordance with some embodiments. Touch-sensitive display 112 issometimes called a “touch screen” for convenience, and is sometimesknown as or called a touch-sensitive display system. Device 100 includesmemory 102 (which optionally includes one or more computer readablestorage mediums), memory controller 122, one or more processing units(CPU's) 120, peripherals interface 118, RF circuitry 108, audiocircuitry 110, speaker 111, microphone 113, input/output (I/O) subsystem106, other input or control devices 116, and external port 124. Device100 optionally includes one or more optical sensors 164. Device 100optionally includes one or more intensity sensors 165 for detectingintensity of contacts on device 100 (e.g., a touch-sensitive surfacesuch as touch-sensitive display system 112 of device 100). Device 100optionally includes one or more tactile output generators 167 forgenerating tactile outputs on device 100 (e.g., generating tactileoutputs on a touch-sensitive surface such as touch-sensitive displaysystem 112 of device 100 or touchpad 355 of device 300). Thesecomponents optionally communicate over one or more communication busesor signal lines 103.

As used in the specification and claims, the term “intensity” of acontact on a touch-sensitive surface refers to the force or pressure(force per unit area) of a contact (e.g., a finger contact) on the touchsensitive surface. The intensity of a contact has a range of values thatincludes at least four distinct values and more typically includeshundreds of distinct values (e.g., at least 256). Intensity of a contactis, optionally, determined (or measured) using various approaches andvarious sensors or combinations of sensors. For example, one or moreforce sensors underneath or adjacent to the touch-sensitive surface are,optionally, used to measure force at various points on thetouch-sensitive surface. In some implementations, force measurementsfrom multiple force sensors are combined (e.g., a weighted average) todetermine an estimated force of a contact. Using the intensity of acontact as an attribute of a user input allows for user access toadditional device functionality that may otherwise not be accessible bythe user on a reduced-size device with limited real estate fordisplaying affordances (e.g., on a touch-sensitive display) and/orreceiving user input (e.g., via a touch-sensitive display, atouch-sensitive surface, or a physical/mechanical control such as a knobor a button).

As used in the specification and claims, the term “tactile output”refers to physical displacement of a device relative to a previousposition of the device, physical displacement of a component (e.g., atouch-sensitive surface) of a device relative to another component(e.g., housing) of the device, or displacement of the component relativeto a center of mass of the device that will be detected by a user withthe user's sense of touch. For example, in situations where the deviceor the component of the device is in contact with a surface of a userthat is sensitive to touch (e.g., a finger, palm, or other part of auser's hand), the tactile output generated by the physical displacementwill be interpreted by the user as a tactile sensation corresponding toa perceived change in physical characteristics of the device or thecomponent of the device. For example, movement of a touch-sensitivesurface (e.g., a touch-sensitive display or trackpad) is, optionally,interpreted by the user as a “down click” or “up click” of a physicalactuator button. In some cases, a user will feel a tactile sensationsuch as an “down click” or “up click” even when there is no movement ofa physical actuator button associated with the touch-sensitive surfacethat is physically pressed (e.g., displaced) by the user's movements.

As another example, movement of the touch-sensitive surface is,optionally, interpreted or sensed by the user as “roughness” of thetouch-sensitive surface, even when there is no change in smoothness ofthe touch-sensitive surface. While such interpretations of touch by auser will be subject to the individualized sensory perceptions of theuser, there are many sensory perceptions of touch that are common to alarge majority of users. Thus, when a tactile output is described ascorresponding to a particular sensory perception of a user (e.g., an “upclick,” a “down click,” “roughness”), unless otherwise stated, thegenerated tactile output corresponds to physical displacement of thedevice or a component thereof that will generate the described sensoryperception for a typical (or average) user.

It should be appreciated that device 100 is only one example of aportable multifunction device, and that device 100 optionally has moreor fewer components than shown, optionally combines two or morecomponents, or optionally has a different configuration or arrangementof the components. The various components shown in FIG. 1A areimplemented in hardware, software, or a combination of both hardware andsoftware, including one or more signal processing and/or applicationspecific integrated circuits.

Memory 102 may include one or more computer readable storage mediums.The computer readable storage mediums may be tangible andnon-transitory. Memory 102 may include high-speed random access memoryand may also include non-volatile memory, such as one or more magneticdisk storage devices, flash memory devices, or other non-volatilesolid-state memory devices. Memory controller 122 may control access tomemory 102 by other components of device 100.

Peripherals interface 118 can be used to couple input and outputperipherals of the device to CPU 120 and memory 102. The one or moreprocessors 120 run or execute various software programs and/or sets ofinstructions stored in memory 102 to perform various functions fordevice 100 and to process data. In some embodiments, peripheralsinterface 118, CPU 120, and memory controller 122 may be implemented ona single chip, such as chip 104. In some other embodiments, they may beimplemented on separate chips.

RF (radio frequency) circuitry 108 receives and sends RF signals, alsocalled electromagnetic signals. RF circuitry 108 converts electricalsignals to/from electromagnetic signals and communicates withcommunications networks and other communications devices via theelectromagnetic signals. RF circuitry 108 optionally includes well-knowncircuitry for performing these functions, including but not limited toan antenna system, an RF transceiver, one or more amplifiers, a tuner,one or more oscillators, a digital signal processor, a CODEC chipset, asubscriber identity module (SIM) card, memory, and so forth. RFcircuitry 108 optionally communicates with networks, such as theInternet, also referred to as the World Wide Web (WWW), an intranetand/or a wireless network, such as a cellular telephone network, awireless local area network (LAN) and/or a metropolitan area network(MAN), and other devices by wireless communication. The wirelesscommunication optionally uses any of a plurality of communicationsstandards, protocols and technologies, including but not limited toGlobal System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Enhanced Data GSMEnvironment (EDGE), high-speed downlink packet access (HSDPA),high-speed uplink packet access (HSUPA), Evolution, Data-Only (EV-DO),HSPA, HSPA+, Dual-Cell HSPA (DC-HSPDA), long term evolution (LTE), nearfield communication (NFC), wideband code division multiple access(W-CDMA), code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multipleaccess (TDMA), Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BTLE), Wireless Fidelity(Wi-Fi) (e.g., IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g and/or IEEE802.11n), voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), Wi-MAX, a protocol fore-mail (e.g., Internet message access protocol (IMAP) and/or post officeprotocol (POP)), instant messaging (e.g., extensible messaging andpresence protocol (XMPP), Session Initiation Protocol for InstantMessaging and Presence Leveraging Extensions (SIMPLE), Instant Messagingand Presence Service (IMPS)), and/or Short Message Service (SMS), or anyother suitable communication protocol, including communication protocolsnot yet developed as of the filing date of this document.

Audio circuitry 110, speaker 111, and microphone 113 provide an audiointerface between a user and device 100. Audio circuitry 110 receivesaudio data from peripherals interface 118, converts the audio data to anelectrical signal, and transmits the electrical signal to speaker 111.Speaker 111 converts the electrical signal to human-audible sound waves.Audio circuitry 110 also receives electrical signals converted bymicrophone 113 from sound waves. Audio circuitry 110 converts theelectrical signal to audio data and transmits the audio data toperipherals interface 118 for processing. Audio data may be retrievedfrom and/or transmitted to memory 102 and/or RF circuitry 108 byperipherals interface 118. In some embodiments, audio circuitry 110 alsoincludes a headset jack (e.g., 212, FIG. 2). The headset jack providesan interface between audio circuitry 110 and removable audioinput/output peripherals, such as output-only headphones or a headsetwith both output (e.g., a headphone for one or both ears) and input(e.g., a microphone).

I/O subsystem 106 couples input/output peripherals on device 100, suchas touch screen 112 and other input control devices 116, to peripheralsinterface 118. I/O subsystem 106 optionally includes display controller156, optical sensor controller 158, intensity sensor controller 159,haptic feedback controller 161 and one or more input controllers 160 forother input or control devices. The one or more input controllers 160receive/send electrical signals from/to other input or control devices116. The other input control devices 116 optionally include physicalbuttons (e.g., push buttons, rocker buttons, etc.), dials, sliderswitches, joysticks, click wheels, and so forth. In some alternateembodiments, input controller(s) 160 are, optionally, coupled to any (ornone) of the following: a keyboard, infrared port, USB port, and apointer device such as a mouse. The one or more buttons (e.g., 208, FIG.2) optionally include an up/down button for volume control of speaker111 and/or microphone 113. The one or more buttons optionally include apush button (e.g., 206, FIG. 2).

A quick press of the push button may disengage a lock of touch screen112 or begin a process that uses gestures on the touch screen to unlockthe device, as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/322,549,“Unlocking a Device by Performing Gestures on an Unlock Image,” filedDec. 23, 2005, U.S. Pat. No. 7,657,849, which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety. A longer press of the push button (e.g., 206)may turn power to device 100 on or off. The user may be able tocustomize a functionality of one or more of the buttons. Touch screen112 is used to implement virtual or soft buttons and one or more softkeyboards.

Touch-sensitive display 112 provides an input interface and an outputinterface between the device and a user. Display controller 156 receivesand/or sends electrical signals from/to touch screen 112. Touch screen112 displays visual output to the user. The visual output may includegraphics, text, icons, video, and any combination thereof (collectivelytermed “graphics”). In some embodiments, some or all of the visualoutput may correspond to user-interface objects.

Touch screen 112 has a touch-sensitive surface, sensor or set of sensorsthat accepts input from the user based on haptic and/or tactile contact.Touch screen 112 and display controller 156 (along with any associatedmodules and/or sets of instructions in memory 102) detect contact (andany movement or breaking of the contact) on touch screen 112 andconverts the detected contact into interaction with user-interfaceobjects (e.g., one or more soft keys, icons, web-pages or images) thatare displayed on touch screen 112. In an exemplary embodiment, a pointof contact between touch screen 112 and the user corresponds to a fingerof the user.

Touch screen 112 may use LCD (liquid crystal display) technology, LPD(light emitting polymer display) technology, or LED (light emittingdiode) technology, although other display technologies may be used inother embodiments. Touch screen 112 and display controller 156 maydetect contact and any movement or breaking thereof using any of aplurality of touch sensing technologies now known or later developed,including but not limited to capacitive, resistive, infrared, andsurface acoustic wave technologies, as well as other proximity sensorarrays or other elements for determining one or more points of contactwith touch screen 112. In an exemplary embodiment, projected mutualcapacitance sensing technology is used, such as that found in theiPhone® and iPod Touch® from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.

A touch-sensitive display in some embodiments of touch screen 112 may beanalogous to the multi-touch sensitive touchpads described in thefollowing U.S. Pat. No. 6,323,846 (Westerman et al.), U.S. Pat. No.6,570,557 (Westerman et al.), and/or U.S. Pat. No. 6,677,932(Westerman), and/or U.S. Patent Publication 2002/0015024A1, each ofwhich is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. However,touch screen 112 displays visual output from device 100, whereas touchsensitive touchpads do not provide visual output.

A touch-sensitive display in some embodiments of touch screen 112 may beas described in the following applications: (1) U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/381,313, “Multipoint Touch Surface Controller,” filed May 2,2006; (2) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/840,862, “MultipointTouchscreen,” filed May 6, 2004; (3) U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/903,964, “Gestures For Touch Sensitive Input Devices,” filed Jul. 30,2004; (4) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/048,264, “Gestures ForTouch Sensitive Input Devices,” filed Jan. 31, 2005; (5) U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/038,590, “Mode-Based Graphical User InterfacesFor Touch Sensitive Input Devices,” filed Jan. 18, 2005; (6) U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/228,758, “Virtual Input Device Placement On ATouch Screen User Interface,” filed Sep. 16, 2005; (7) U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/228,700, “Operation Of A Computer With A TouchScreen Interface,” filed Sep. 16, 2005; (8) U.S. patent application Ser.No. 11/228,737, “Activating Virtual Keys Of A Touch-Screen VirtualKeyboard,” filed Sep. 16, 2005; and (9) U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/367,749, “Multi-Functional Hand-Held Device,” filed Mar. 3, 2006. Allof these applications are incorporated by reference herein in theirentirety.

Touch screen 112 may have a video resolution in excess of 100 dpi. Insome embodiments, the touch screen has a video resolution ofapproximately 160 dpi. The user may make contact with touch screen 112using any suitable object or appendage, such as a stylus, a finger, andso forth. In some embodiments, the user interface is designed to workprimarily with finger-based contacts and gestures, which can be lessprecise than stylus-based input due to the larger area of contact of afinger on the touch screen. In some embodiments, the device translatesthe rough finger-based input into a precise pointer/cursor position orcommand for performing the actions desired by the user.

In some embodiments, in addition to the touch screen, device 100 mayinclude a touchpad (not shown) for activating or deactivating particularfunctions. In some embodiments, the touchpad is a touch-sensitive areaof the device that, unlike the touch screen, does not display visualoutput. The touchpad may be a touch-sensitive surface that is separatefrom touch screen 112 or an extension of the touch-sensitive surfaceformed by the touch screen.

Device 100 also includes power system 162 for powering the variouscomponents. Power system 162 may include a power management system, oneor more power sources (e.g., battery, alternating current (AC)), arecharging system, a power failure detection circuit, a power converteror inverter, a power status indicator (e.g., a light-emitting diode(LED)) and any other components associated with the generation,management and distribution of power in portable devices.

Device 100 may also include one or more optical sensors 164. FIGS. 1Aand 1B show an optical sensor coupled to optical sensor controller 158in I/O subsystem 106. Optical sensor 164 may include charge-coupleddevice (CCD) or complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS)phototransistors. Optical sensor 164 receives light from theenvironment, projected through one or more lens, and converts the lightto data representing an image. In conjunction with imaging module 143(also called a camera module), optical sensor 164 may capture stillimages or video. In some embodiments, an optical sensor is located onthe back of device 100, opposite touch screen display 112 on the frontof the device, so that the touch screen display may be used as aviewfinder for still and/or video image acquisition. In someembodiments, an optical sensor is located on the front of the device sothat the user's image may be obtained for videoconferencing while theuser views the other video conference participants on the touch screendisplay. In some embodiments, the position of optical sensor 164 can bechanged by the user (e.g., by rotating the lens and the sensor in thedevice housing) so that a single optical sensor 164 may be used alongwith the touch screen display for both video conferencing and stilland/or video image acquisition.

Device 100 optionally also includes one or more contact intensitysensors 165. FIG. 1A shows a contact intensity sensor coupled tointensity sensor controller 159 in I/O subsystem 106. Contact intensitysensor 165 optionally includes one or more piezoresistive strain gauges,capacitive force sensors, electric force sensors, piezoelectric forcesensors, optical force sensors, capacitive touch-sensitive surfaces, orother intensity sensors (e.g., sensors used to measure the force (orpressure) of a contact on a touch-sensitive surface). Contact intensitysensor 165 receives contact intensity information (e.g., pressureinformation or a proxy for pressure information) from the environment.In some embodiments, at least one contact intensity sensor is collocatedwith, or proximate to, a touch-sensitive surface (e.g., touch-sensitivedisplay system 112). In some embodiments, at least one contact intensitysensor is located on the back of device 100, opposite touch screendisplay 112 which is located on the front of device 100.

Device 100 may also include one or more proximity sensors 166. FIGS. 1Aand 1B show proximity sensor 166 coupled to peripherals interface 118.Alternately, proximity sensor 166 may be coupled to input controller 160in I/O subsystem 106. Proximity sensor 166 may perform as described inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/241,839, “Proximity Detector InHandheld Device”; Ser. No. 11/240,788, “Proximity Detector In HandheldDevice”; Ser. No. 11/620,702, “Using Ambient Light Sensor To AugmentProximity Sensor Output”; Ser. No. 11/586,862, “Automated Response ToAnd Sensing Of User Activity In Portable Devices”; and Ser. No.11/638,251, “Methods And Systems For Automatic Configuration OfPeripherals,” which are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentirety. In some embodiments, the proximity sensor turns off anddisables touch screen 112 when the multifunction device is placed nearthe user's ear (e.g., when the user is making a phone call).

Device 100 optionally also includes one or more tactile outputgenerators 167. FIG. 1A shows a tactile output generator coupled tohaptic feedback controller 161 in I/O subsystem 106. Tactile outputgenerator 167 optionally includes one or more electroacoustic devicessuch as speakers or other audio components and/or electromechanicaldevices that convert energy into linear motion such as a motor,solenoid, electroactive polymer, piezoelectric actuator, electrostaticactuator, or other tactile output generating component (e.g., acomponent that converts electrical signals into tactile outputs on thedevice). Contact intensity sensor 165 receives tactile feedbackgeneration instructions from haptic feedback module 133 and generatestactile outputs on device 100 that are capable of being sensed by a userof device 100. In some embodiments, at least one tactile outputgenerator is collocated with, or proximate to, a touch-sensitive surface(e.g., touch-sensitive display system 112) and, optionally, generates atactile output by moving the touch-sensitive surface vertically (e.g.,in/out of a surface of device 100) or laterally (e.g., back and forth inthe same plane as a surface of device 100). In some embodiments, atleast one tactile output generator sensor is located on the back ofdevice 100, opposite touch screen display 112 which is located on thefront of device 100.

Device 100 may also include one or more accelerometers 168. FIGS. 1A and1B show accelerometer 168 coupled to peripherals interface 118.Alternately, accelerometer 168 may be coupled to an input controller 160in I/O subsystem 106. Accelerometer 168 may perform as described in U.S.Patent Publication No. 20050190059, “Acceleration-based Theft DetectionSystem for Portable Electronic Devices,” and U.S. Patent Publication No.20060017692, “Methods And Apparatuses For Operating A Portable DeviceBased On An Accelerometer,” both of which are which are incorporated byreference herein in their entirety. In some embodiments, information isdisplayed on the touch screen display in a portrait view or a landscapeview based on an analysis of data received from the one or moreaccelerometers. Device 100 optionally includes, in addition toaccelerometer(s) 168, a magnetometer (not shown) and a GPS (or GLONASSor other global navigation system) receiver (not shown) for obtaininginformation concerning the location and orientation (e.g., portrait orlandscape) of device 100.

In some embodiments, the software components stored in memory 102include operating system 126, communication module (or set ofinstructions) 128, contact/motion module (or set of instructions) 130,graphics module (or set of instructions) 132, text input module (or setof instructions) 134, Global Positioning System (GPS) module (or set ofinstructions) 135, and applications (or sets of instructions) 136.Furthermore, in some embodiments memory 102 stores device/globalinternal state 157, as shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 3. Device/globalinternal state 157 includes one or more of: active application state,indicating which applications, if any, are currently active; displaystate, indicating what applications, views or other information occupyvarious regions of touch screen display 112; sensor state, includinginformation obtained from the device's various sensors and input controldevices 116; and location information concerning the device's locationand/or attitude.

Operating system 126 (e.g., Darwin, RTXC, LINUX, UNIX, OS X, iOS,WINDOWS, or an embedded operating system such as VxWorks) includesvarious software components and/or drivers for controlling and managinggeneral system tasks (e.g., memory management, storage device control,power management, etc.) and facilitates communication between varioushardware and software components.

Communication module 128 facilitates communication with other devicesover one or more external ports 124 and also includes various softwarecomponents for handling data received by RF circuitry 108 and/orexternal port 124. External port 124 (e.g., Universal Serial Bus (USB),FIREWIRE, etc.) is adapted for coupling directly to other devices orindirectly over a network (e.g., the Internet, wireless LAN, etc.). Insome embodiments, the external port is a multi-pin (e.g., 30-pin)connector that is the same as, or similar to and/or compatible with the30-pin connector used on iPod® (trademark of Apple Inc.) devices.

Contact/motion module 130 optionally detects contact with touch screen112 (in conjunction with display controller 156) and other touchsensitive devices (e.g., a touchpad or physical click wheel).Contact/motion module 130 includes various software components forperforming various operations related to detection of contact, such asdetermining if contact has occurred (e.g., detecting a finger-downevent), determining an intensity of the contact determining if there ismovement of the contact and tracking the movement across thetouch-sensitive surface (e.g., detecting one or more finger-draggingevents), and determining if the contact has ceased (e.g., detecting afinger-up event or a break in contact). Contact/motion module 130receives contact data from the touch-sensitive surface. Determiningmovement of the point of contact, which is represented by a series ofcontact data, optionally includes determining speed (magnitude),velocity (magnitude and direction), and/or an acceleration (a change inmagnitude and/or direction) of he point of contact. These operationsare, optionally, applied to single contacts one finger contacts) or tomultiple simultaneous contacts (e.g., “multitouch”/multiple fingercontacts). In some embodiments, contact/motion module 130 and displaycontroller 156 detect contact on a touchpad.

In some embodiments, contact/motion module 130 uses a set of one or moreintensity thresholds to determine whether an operation has beenperformed by a user (e.g., to determine whether a user has “clicked” onan icon). In some embodiments at least a subset of the intensitythresholds are determined in accordance with software parameters (e.g.,the intensity thresholds are not determined by the activation thresholdsof particular physical actuators and can be adjusted without changingthe physical hardware of device 100). For example, a mouse “click”threshold of a trackpad or touch screen display can be set to any of alarge range of predefined thresholds values without changing thetrackpad or touch screen display hardware. Additionally, in someimplementations a user of the device is provided with software settingsfor adjusting one or more of the set of intensity thresholds (e.g., byadjusting individual intensity thresholds and/or by adjusting aplurality of intensity thresholds at once with a system-level click“intensity” parameter).

Contact/motion module 130 optionally detects a gesture input by a user.Different gestures on the touch-sensitive surface have different contactpatterns (e.g., different motions, timings, and/or intensities ofdetected contacts). Thus, a gesture is, optionally, detected bydetecting a particular contact pattern. For example, detecting a fingertap gesture includes detecting a finger-down event followed by detectinga finger-up (lift off) event at the same position (or substantially thesame position) as the finger-down event (e.g., at the position of anicon). As another example, detecting a finger swipe gesture on thetouch-sensitive surface includes detecting a finger-down event followedby detecting one or more finger-dragging events, and subsequentlyfollowed by detecting a finger-up (lift off) event.

Graphics module 132 includes various known software components forrendering and displaying graphics on touch screen 112 or other display,including components for changing the visual impact (e.g., brightness,transparency, saturation, contrast or other visual property) of graphicsthat are displayed. As used herein, the term “graphics” includes anyobject that can be displayed to a user, including without limitationtext, web pages, icons (such as user-interface objects including softkeys), digital images, videos, animations and the like.

In some embodiments, graphics module 132 stores data representinggraphics to be used. Each graphic is, optionally, assigned acorresponding code. Graphics module 132 receives, from applicationsetc., one or more codes specifying graphics to be displayed along with,if necessary, coordinate data and other graphic property data, and thengenerates screen image data to output to display controller 156.

Haptic feedback module 133 includes various software components forgenerating instructions used by tactile output generator(s) 167 toproduce tactile outputs at one or more locations on device 100 inresponse to user interactions with device 100.

Text input module 134, which may be a component of graphics module 132,provides soft keyboards for entering text in various applications (e.g.,contacts 137, e-mail 140, IM 141, browser 147, and any other applicationthat needs text input).

GPS module 135 determines the location of the device and provides thisinformation for use in various applications (e.g., to telephone 138 foruse in location-based dialing, to camera 143 as picture/video metadata,and to applications that provide location-based services such as weatherwidgets, local yellow page widgets, and map/navigation widgets).

Applications 136 may include the following modules (or sets ofinstructions), or a subset or superset thereof:

-   -   contacts module 137 (sometimes called an address book or contact        list);    -   telephone module 138;    -   video conferencing module 139;    -   e-mail client module 140;    -   instant messaging (IM) module 141;    -   workout support module 142;    -   camera module 143 for still and/or video images;    -   image management module 144;    -   video player module 145;    -   music player module 146;    -   browser module 147;    -   calendar module 148;    -   widget modules 149, which may include one or more of: weather        widget 149-1, stocks widget 149-2, calculator widget 149-3,        alarm clock widget 149-4, dictionary widget 149-5, and other        widgets obtained by the user, as well as user-created widgets        149-6;    -   widget creator module 150 for making user-created widgets 149-6;    -   search module 151;    -   video and music player module 152, which merges video player        module 145 and music player module 146;    -   notes module 153;    -   map module 154; and/or    -   online video module 155.

Examples of other applications 136 that may be stored in memory 102include other word processing applications, other image editingapplications, drawing applications, presentation applications,JAVA-enabled applications, encryption, digital rights management, voicerecognition, and voice replication.

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display controller 156, contactmodule 130, graphics module 132, and text input module 134, contactsmodule 137 may be used to manage an address book or contact list (e.g.,stored in application internal state 192 of contacts module 137 inmemory 102 or memory 370), including: adding name(s) to the addressbook; deleting name(s) from the address book; associating telephonenumber(s), e-mail address(es), physical address(es) or other informationwith a name; associating an image with a name; categorizing and sortingnames; providing telephone numbers or e-mail addresses to initiateand/or facilitate communications by telephone 138, video conference 139,e-mail 140, or IM 141; and so forth.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, audio circuitry 110, speaker 111,microphone 113, touch screen 112, display controller 156, contact module130, graphics module 132, and text input module 134, telephone module138 may be used to enter a sequence of characters corresponding to atelephone number, access one or more telephone numbers in address book137, modify a telephone number that has been entered, dial a respectivetelephone number, conduct a conversation and disconnect or hang up whenthe conversation is completed. As noted above, the wirelesscommunication may use any of a plurality of communications standards,protocols and technologies.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, audio circuitry 110, speaker 111,microphone 113, touch screen 112, display controller 156, optical sensor164, optical sensor controller 158, contact module 130, graphics module132, text input module 134, contact list 137, and telephone module 138,videoconferencing module 139 includes executable instructions toinitiate, conduct, and terminate a video conference between a user andone or more other participants in accordance with user instructions.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, displaycontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, and text inputmodule 134, e-mail client module 140 includes executable instructions tocreate, send, receive, and manage e-mail in response to userinstructions. In conjunction with image management module 144, e-mailclient module 140 makes it very easy to create and send e-mails withstill or video images taken with camera module 143.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, displaycontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, and text inputmodule 134, the instant messaging module 141 includes executableinstructions to enter a sequence of characters corresponding to aninstant message, to modify previously entered characters, to transmit arespective instant message (for example, using a Short Message Service(SMS) or Multimedia Message Service (MMS) protocol for telephony-basedinstant messages or using XMPP, SIMPLE, or IMPS for Internet-basedinstant messages), to receive instant messages and to view receivedinstant messages. In some embodiments, transmitted and/or receivedinstant messages may include graphics, photos, audio files, video filesand/or other attachments as are supported in a MMS and/or an EnhancedMessaging Service (EMS). As used herein, “instant messaging” refers toboth telephony-based messages (e.g., messages sent using SMS or MMS) andInternet-based messages (e.g., messages sent using XMPP, SIMPLE, orIMPS).

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, displaycontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, text inputmodule 134, GPS module 135, map module 154, and music player module 146,workout support module 142 includes executable instructions to createworkouts (e.g., with time, distance, and/or calorie burning goals);communicate with workout sensors (sports devices); receive workoutsensor data; calibrate sensors used to monitor a workout; select andplay music for a workout; and display, store and transmit workout data.

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display controller 156, opticalsensor(s) 164, optical sensor controller 158, contact module 130,graphics module 132, and image management module 144, camera module 143includes executable instructions to capture still images or video(including a video stream) and store them into memory 102, modifycharacteristics of a still image or video, or delete a still image orvideo from memory 102.

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display controller 156, contactmodule 130, graphics module 132, text input module 134, and cameramodule 143, image management module 144 includes executable instructionsto arrange, modify (e.g., edit), or otherwise manipulate, label, delete,present (e.g., in a digital slide show or album), and store still and/orvideo images.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, display systemcontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, and text inputmodule 134, browser module 147 includes executable instructions tobrowse the Internet in accordance with user instructions, includingsearching, linking to, receiving, and displaying web-pages or portionsthereof, as well as attachments and other files linked to web-pages.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, display systemcontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, text inputmodule 134, e-mail client module 140, and browser module 147, calendarmodule 148 includes executable instructions to create, display, modify,and store calendars and data associated with calendars (e.g., calendarentries, to do lists, etc.) in accordance with user instructions.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, display systemcontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, text inputmodule 134, and browser module 147, widget modules 149 aremini-applications that may be downloaded and used by a user (e.g.,weather widget 149-1, stocks widget 149-2, calculator widget 149-3,alarm clock widget 149-4, and dictionary widget 149-5) or created by theuser (e.g., user-created widget 149-6). In some embodiments, a widgetincludes an HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) file, a CSS (CascadingStyle Sheets) file, and a JavaScript file. In some embodiments, a widgetincludes an XML (Extensible Markup Language) file and a JavaScript file(e.g., Yahoo! Widgets).

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, display systemcontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, text inputmodule 134, and browser module 147, the widget creator module 150 may beused by a user to create widgets (e.g., turning a user-specified portionof a web-page into a widget).

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display system controller 156,contact module 130, graphics module 132, and text input module 134,search module 151 includes executable instructions to search for text,music, sound, image, video, and/or other files in memory 102 that matchone or more search criteria (e.g., one or more user-specified searchterms) in accordance with user instructions.

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display system controller 156,contact module 130, graphics module 132, audio circuitry 110, speaker111, RF circuitry 108, and browser module 147, video and music playermodule 152 includes executable instructions that allow the user todownload and play back recorded music and other sound files stored inone or more file formats, such as MP3 or AAC files, and executableinstructions to display, present or otherwise play back videos (e.g., ontouch screen 112 or on an external, connected display via external port124). In some embodiments, device 100 optionally includes thefunctionality of an MP3 player, such as an iPod (trademark of AppleInc.).

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display controller 156, contactmodule 130, graphics module 132, and text input module 134, notes module153 includes executable instructions to create and manage notes, to dolists, and the like in accordance with user instructions.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, display systemcontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, text inputmodule 134, GPS module 135, and browser module 147, map module 154 maybe used to receive, display, modify, and store maps and data associatedwith maps (e.g., driving directions; data on stores and other points ofinterest at or near a particular location; and other location-baseddata) in accordance with user instructions.

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display system controller 156,contact module 130, graphics module 132, audio circuitry 110, speaker111, RF circuitry 108, text input module 134, e-mail client module 140,and browser module 147, online video module 155 includes instructionsthat allow the user to access, browse, receive (e.g., by streamingand/or download), play back (e.g., on the touch screen or on anexternal, connected display via external port 124), send an e-mail witha link to a particular online video, and otherwise manage online videosin one or more file formats, such as H.264. In some embodiments, instantmessaging module 141, rather than e-mail client module 140, is used tosend a link to a particular online video. Additional description of theonline video application can be found in U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/936,562, “Portable Multifunction Device, Method, andGraphical User Interface for Playing Online Videos,” filed Jun. 20,2007, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/968,067, “PortableMultifunction Device, Method, and Graphical User Interface for PlayingOnline Videos,” filed Dec. 31, 2007, the content of which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

Each of the above identified modules and applications correspond to aset of executable instructions for performing one or more functionsdescribed above and the methods described in this application (e.g., thecomputer-implemented methods and other information processing methodsdescribed herein). These modules (i.e., sets of instructions) need notbe implemented as separate software programs, procedures or modules, andthus various subsets of these modules may be combined or otherwisere-arranged in various embodiments. For example, video player module 145may be combined with music player module 146 into a single module (e.g.,video and music player module 152, FIG. 1A). In some embodiments, memory102 may store a subset of the modules and data structures identifiedabove. Furthermore, memory 102 may store additional modules and datastructures not described above.

In some embodiments, device 100 is a device where operation of apredefined set of functions on the device is performed exclusivelythrough a touch screen and/or a touchpad. By using a touch screen and/ora touchpad as the primary input control device for operation of device100, the number of physical input control devices (such as push buttons,dials, and the like) on device 100 may be reduced.

The predefined set of functions that are performed exclusively through atouch screen and/or a touchpad optionally include navigation betweenuser interfaces. In some embodiments, the touchpad, when touched by theuser, navigates device 100 to a main, home, or root menu from any userinterface that is displayed on device 100. In such embodiments, a “menubutton” is implemented using a touchpad. In some other embodiments, themenu button is a physical push button or other physical input controldevice instead of a touchpad.

FIG. 1B is a block diagram illustrating exemplary components for eventhandling in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments,memory 102 (in FIG. 1A) or 370 (FIG. 3) includes event sorter 170 (e.g.,in operating system 126) and a respective application 136-1 (e.g., anyof the aforementioned applications 137-151, 155, 380-390).

Event sorter 170 receives event information and determines theapplication 136-1 and application view 191 of application 136-1 to whichto deliver the event information. Event sorter 170 includes eventmonitor 171 and event dispatcher module 174. In some embodiments,application 136-1 includes application internal state 192, whichindicates the current application view(s) displayed on touch sensitivedisplay 112 when the application is active or executing. In someembodiments, device/global internal state 157 is used by event sorter170 to determine which application(s) is (are) currently active, andapplication internal state 192 is used by event sorter 170 to determineapplication views 191 to which to deliver event information.

In some embodiments, application internal state 192 includes additionalinformation, such as one or more of: resume information to be used whenapplication 136-1 resumes execution, user interface state informationthat indicates information being displayed or that is ready for displayby application 136-1, a state queue for enabling the user to go back toa prior state or view of application 136-1, and a redo/undo queue ofprevious actions taken by the user.

Event monitor 171 receives event information from peripherals interface118. Event information includes information about a sub-event (e.g., auser touch on touch-sensitive display 112, as part of a multi-touchgesture). Peripherals interface 118 transmits information it receivesfrom I/O subsystem 106 or a sensor, such as proximity sensor 166,accelerometer(s) 168, and/or microphone 113 (through audio circuitry110). Information that peripherals interface 118 receives from I/Osubsystem 106 includes information from touch-sensitive display 112 or atouch-sensitive surface.

In some embodiments, event monitor 171 sends requests to the peripheralsinterface 118 at predetermined intervals. In response, peripheralsinterface 118 transmits event information. In other embodiments,peripheral interface 118 transmits event information only when there isa significant event (e.g., receiving an input above a predeterminednoise threshold and/or for more than a predetermined duration).

In some embodiments, event sorter 170 also includes a hit viewdetermination module 172 and/or an active event recognizer determinationmodule 173.

Hit view determination module 172 provides software procedures fordetermining where a sub-event has taken place within one or more views,when touch sensitive display 112 displays more than one view. Views aremade up of controls and other elements that a user can see on thedisplay.

Another aspect of the user interface associated with an application is aset of views, sometimes herein called application views or userinterface windows, in which information is displayed and touch-basedgestures occur. The application views (of a respective application) inwhich a touch is detected may correspond to programmatic levels within aprogrammatic or view hierarchy of the application. For example, thelowest level view in which a touch is detected may be called the hitview, and the set of events that are recognized as proper inputs may bedetermined based, at least in part, on the hit view of the initial touchthat begins a touch-based gesture.

Hit view determination module 172 receives information related tosub-events of a touch-based gesture. When an application has multipleviews organized in a hierarchy, hit view determination module 172identifies a hit view as the lowest view in the hierarchy which shouldhandle the sub-event. In most circumstances, the hit view is the lowestlevel view in which an initiating sub-event occurs (i.e., the firstsub-event in the sequence of sub-events that form an event or potentialevent). Once the hit view is identified by the hit view determinationmodule, the hit view typically receives all sub-events related to thesame touch or input source for which it was identified as the hit view.

Active event recognizer determination module 173 determines which viewor views within a view hierarchy should receive a particular sequence ofsub-events. In some embodiments, active event recognizer determinationmodule 173 determines that only the hit view should receive a particularsequence of sub-events. In other embodiments, active event recognizerdetermination module 173 determines that all views that include thephysical location of a sub-event are actively involved views, andtherefore determines that all actively involved views should receive aparticular sequence of sub-events. In other embodiments, even if touchsub-events were entirely confined to the area associated with oneparticular view, views higher in the hierarchy would still remain asactively involved views.

Event dispatcher module 174 dispatches the event information to an eventrecognizer (e.g., event recognizer 180). In embodiments including activeevent recognizer determination module 173, event dispatcher module 174delivers the event information to an event recognizer determined byactive event recognizer determination module 173. In some embodiments,event dispatcher module 174 stores in an event queue the eventinformation, which is retrieved by a respective event receiver module182.

In some embodiments, operating system 126 includes event sorter 170.Alternatively, application 136-1 includes event sorter 170. In yet otherembodiments, event sorter 170 is a stand-alone module, or a part ofanother module stored in memory 102, such as contact/motion module 130.

In some embodiments, application 136-1 includes a plurality of eventhandlers 190 and one or more application views 191, each of whichincludes instructions for handling touch events that occur within arespective view of the application's user interface. Each applicationview 191 of the application 136-1 includes one or more event recognizers180. Typically, a respective application view 191 includes a pluralityof event recognizers 180. In other embodiments, one or more of eventrecognizers 180 are part of a separate module, such as a user interfacekit (not shown) or a higher level object from which application 136-1inherits methods and other properties. In some embodiments, a respectiveevent handler 190 includes one or more of: data updater 176, objectupdater 177, GUI updater 178, and/or event data 179 received from eventsorter 170. Event handler 190 may utilize or call data updater 176,object updater 177 or GUI updater 178 to update the application internalstate 192. Alternatively, one or more of the application views 191includes one or more respective event handlers 190. Also, in someembodiments, one or more of data updater 176, object updater 177, andGUI updater 178 are included in a respective application view 191.

A respective event recognizer 180 receives event information (e.g.,event data 179) from event sorter 170, and identifies an event from theevent information. Event recognizer 180 includes event receiver 182 andevent comparator 184. In some embodiments, event recognizer 180 alsoincludes at least a subset of: metadata 183, and event deliveryinstructions 188 (which may include sub-event delivery instructions).

Event receiver 182 receives event information from event sorter 170. Theevent information includes information about a sub-event, for example, atouch or a touch movement. Depending on the sub-event, the eventinformation also includes additional information, such as location ofthe sub-event. When the sub-event concerns motion of a touch the eventinformation may also include speed and direction of the sub-event. Insome embodiments, events include rotation of the device from oneorientation to another (e.g., from a portrait orientation to a landscapeorientation, or vice versa), and the event information includescorresponding information about the current orientation (also calleddevice attitude) of the device.

Event comparator 184 compares the event information to predefined eventor sub-event definitions and, based on the comparison, determines anevent or sub-event, or determines or updates the state of an event orsub-event. In some embodiments, event comparator 184 includes eventdefinitions 186. Event definitions 186 contain definitions of events(e.g., predefined sequences of sub-events), for example, event 1(187-1), event 2 (187-2), and others. In some embodiments, sub-events inan event (187) include, for example, touch begin, touch end, touchmovement, touch cancellation, and multiple touching. In one example, thedefinition for event 1 (187-1) is a double tap on a displayed object.The double tap, for example, comprises a first touch (touch begin) onthe displayed object for a predetermined phase, a first lift-off (touchend) for a predetermined phase, a second touch (touch begin) on thedisplayed object for a predetermined phase, and a second lift-off (touchend) for a predetermined phase. In another example, the definition forevent 2 (187-2) is a dragging on a displayed object. The dragging, forexample, comprises a touch (or contact) on the displayed object for apredetermined phase, a movement of the touch across touch-sensitivedisplay 112, and lift-off of the touch (touch end). In some embodiments,the event also includes information for one or more associated eventhandlers 190.

In some embodiments, event definition 187 includes a definition of anevent for a respective user-interface object. In some embodiments, eventcomparator 184 performs a hit test to determine which user-interfaceobject is associated with a sub-event. For example, in an applicationview in which three user-interface objects are displayed ontouch-sensitive display 112, when a touch is detected on touch-sensitivedisplay 112, event comparator 184 performs a hit test to determine whichof the three user-interface objects is associated with the touch(sub-event). If each displayed object is associated with a respectiveevent handler 190, the event comparator uses the result of the hit testto determine which event handler 190 should be activated. For example,event comparator 184 selects an event handler associated with thesub-event and the object triggering the hit test.

In some embodiments, the definition for a respective event (187) alsoincludes delayed actions that delay delivery of the event informationuntil after it has been determined whether the sequence of sub-eventsdoes or does not correspond to the event recognizer's event type.

When a respective event recognizer 180 determines that the series ofsub-events do not match any of the events in event definitions 186, therespective event recognizer 180 enters an event impossible, eventfailed, or event ended state, after which it disregards subsequentsub-events of the touch-based gesture. In this situation, other eventrecognizers, if any, that remain active for the hit view continue totrack and process sub-events of an ongoing touch-based gesture.

In some embodiments, a respective event recognizer 180 includes metadata183 with configurable properties, flags, and/or lists that indicate howthe event delivery system should perform sub-event delivery to activelyinvolved event recognizers. In some embodiments, metadata 183 includesconfigurable properties, flags, and/or lists that indicate how eventrecognizers may interact, or are enabled to interact, with one another.In some embodiments, metadata 183 includes configurable properties,flags, and/or lists that indicate whether sub-events are delivered tovarying levels in the view or programmatic hierarchy.

In some embodiments, a respective event recognizer 180 activates eventhandler 190 associated with an event when one or more particularsub-events of an event are recognized. In some embodiments, a respectiveevent recognizer 180 delivers event information associated with theevent to event handler 190. Activating an event handler 190 is distinctfrom sending (and deferred sending) sub-events to a respective hit view.In some embodiments, event recognizer 180 throws a flag associated withthe recognized event, and event handler 190 associated with the flagcatches the flag and performs a predefined process.

In some embodiments, event delivery instructions 188 include sub-eventdelivery instructions that deliver event information about a sub-eventwithout activating an event handler. Instead, the sub-event deliveryinstructions deliver event information to event handlers associated withthe series of sub-events or to actively involved views. Event handlersassociated with the series of sub-events or with actively involved viewsreceive the event information and perform a predetermined process.

In some embodiments, data updater 176 creates and updates data used inapplication 136-1. For example, data updater 176 updates the telephonenumber used in contacts module 137, or stores a video file used in videoplayer module 145. In some embodiments, object updater 177 creates andupdates objects used in application 136-1. For example, object updater176 creates a new user-interface object or updates the position of auser-interface object. GUI updater 178 updates the GUI. For example, GUIupdater 178 prepares display information and sends it to graphics module132 for display on a touch-sensitive display.

In some embodiments, event handler(s) 190 includes or has access to dataupdater 176, object updater 177, and GUI updater 178. In someembodiments, data updater 176, object updater 177, and GUI updater 178are included in a single module of a respective application 136-1 orapplication view 191. In other embodiments, they are included in two ormore software modules.

It shall be understood that the foregoing discussion regarding eventhandling of user touches on touch-sensitive displays also applies toother forms of user inputs to operate multifunction devices 100 withinput-devices, not all of which are initiated on touch screens. Forexample, mouse movement and mouse button presses, optionally coordinatedwith single or multiple keyboard presses or holds; contact movementssuch as taps, drags, scrolls, etc., on touch-pads; pen stylus inputs;movement of the device; oral instructions; detected eye movements;biometric inputs; and/or any combination thereof are optionally utilizedas inputs corresponding to sub-events which define an event to berecognized.

FIG. 2 illustrates a portable multifunction device 100 having a touchscreen 112 in accordance with some embodiments. The touch screenoptionally displays one or more graphics within user interface (UI) 200.In this embodiment, as well as others described below, a user is enabledto select one or more of the graphics by making a gesture on thegraphics, for example, with one or more fingers 202 (not drawn to scalein the figure) or one or more styluses 203 (not drawn to scale in thefigure). In some embodiments, selection of one or more graphics occurswhen the user breaks contact with the one or more graphics. In someembodiments, the gesture optionally includes one or more taps, one ormore swipes (from left to right, right to left, upward and/or downward)and/or a rolling of a finger (from right to left, left to right, upwardand/or downward) that has made contact with device 100. In someimplementations or circumstances, inadvertent contact with a graphicdoes not select the graphic. For example, a swipe gesture that sweepsover an application icon optionally does not select the correspondingapplication when the gesture corresponding to selection is a tap.

Device 100 may also include one or more physical buttons, such as “home”or menu button 204. As described previously, menu button 204 may be usedto navigate to any application 136 in a set of applications that may beexecuted on device 100. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the menubutton is implemented as a soft key in a GUI displayed on touch screen112.

In one embodiment, device 100 includes touch screen 112, menu button204, push button 206 for powering the device on/off and locking thedevice, volume adjustment button(s) 208, Subscriber Identity Module(SIM) card slot 210, head set jack 212, and docking/charging externalport 124. Push button 206 is, optionally, used to turn the power on/offon the device by depressing the button and holding the button in thedepressed state for a predefined time interval; to lock the device bydepressing the button and releasing the button before the predefinedtime interval has elapsed; and/or to unlock the device or initiate anunlock process. In an alternative embodiment, device 100 also acceptsverbal input for activation or deactivation of some functions throughmicrophone 113. Device 100 also, optionally, includes one or morecontact intensity sensors 165 for detecting intensity of contacts ontouch screen 112 and/or one or more tactile output generators 167 forgenerating tactile outputs for a user of device 100.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary multifunction device with adisplay and a touch-sensitive surface in accordance with someembodiments. Device 300 need not be portable. In some embodiments,device 300 is a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a tablet computer,a multimedia player device, a navigation device, an educational device(such as a child's learning toy), a gaming system, or a control device(e.g., a home or industrial controller). Device 300 typically includesone or more processing units (CPU's) 310, one or more network or othercommunications interfaces 360, memory 370, and one or more communicationbuses 320 for interconnecting these components. Communication buses 320optionally include circuitry (sometimes called a chipset) thatinterconnects and controls communications between system components.Device 300 includes input/output (I/O) interface 330 comprising display340, which is typically a touch screen display. I/O interface 330 alsooptionally includes a keyboard and/or mouse (or other pointing device)350 and touchpad 355, tactile output generator 357 for generatingtactile outputs on device 300 (e.g., similar to tactile outputgenerator(s) 167 described above with reference to FIG. 1A), sensors 359(e.g., optical, acceleration, proximity, touch-sensitive, and/or contactintensity sensors similar to contact intensity sensor(s) 165 describedabove with reference to FIG. 1A). Memory 370 includes high-speed randomaccess memory, such as DRAM, SRAM, DDR RAM or other random access solidstate memory devices; and optionally includes non-volatile memory, suchas one or more magnetic disk storage devices, optical disk storagedevices, flash memory devices, or other non-volatile solid state storagedevices. Memory 370 optionally includes one or more storage devicesremotely located from CPU(s) 310. In some embodiments, memory 370 storesprograms, modules, and data structures analogous to the programs,modules, and data structures stored in memory 102 of portablemultifunction device 100 (FIG. 1A), or a subset thereof. Furthermore,memory 370 optionally stores additional programs, modules, and datastructures not present in memory 102 of portable multifunction device100. For example, memory 370 of device 300 optionally stores drawingmodule 380, presentation module 382, word processing module 384, websitecreation module 386, disk authoring module 388, and/or spreadsheetmodule 390, while memory 102 of portable multifunction device 100 (FIG.1A) optionally does not store these modules.

Each of the above identified elements in FIG. 3 may be stored in one ormore of the previously mentioned memory devices. Each of the aboveidentified modules corresponds to a set of instructions for performing afunction described above. The above identified modules or programs(i.e., sets of instructions) need not be implemented as separatesoftware programs, procedures or modules, and thus various subsets ofthese modules may be combined or otherwise re-arranged in variousembodiments. In some embodiments, memory 370 may store a subset of themodules and data structures identified above. Furthermore, memory 370may store additional modules and data structures not described above.

Attention is now directed towards embodiments of user interfaces (“UI”)that may be implemented on portable multifunction device 100.

FIG. 4A illustrates an exemplary user interface for a menu ofapplications on portable multifunction device 100 in accordance withsome embodiments. Similar user interfaces may be implemented on device300. In some embodiments, user interface 400 includes the followingelements, or a subset or superset thereof:

-   -   Signal strength indicator(s) 402 for wireless communication(s),        such as cellular and Wi-Fi signals;    -   Time 404;    -   Bluetooth indicator 405;    -   Battery status indicator 406;    -   Tray 408 with icons for frequently used applications, such as:        -   Icon 416 for telephone module 138, labeled “Phone,” which            optionally includes an indicator 414 of the number of missed            calls or voicemail messages;        -   Icon 418 for e-mail client module 140, labeled “Mail,” which            optionally includes an indicator 410 of the number of unread            e-mails;        -   Icon 420 for browser module 147, labeled “Browser;” and        -   Icon 422 for video and music player module 152, also            referred to as iPod (trademark of Apple Inc.) module 152,            labeled “iPod;” and    -   Icons for other applications, such as:        -   Icon 424 for IM module 141, labeled “Messages;”        -   Icon 426 for calendar module 148, labeled “Calendar;”        -   Icon 428 for image management module 144, labeled “Photos;”        -   Icon 430 for camera module 143, labeled “Camera;”        -   Icon 432 for online video module 155, labeled “Online Video”        -   Icon 434 for stocks widget 149-2, labeled “Stocks;”        -   Icon 436 for map module 154, labeled “Map;”        -   Icon 438 for weather widget 149-1, labeled “Weather;”        -   Icon 440 for alarm clock widget 149-4, labeled “Clock;”        -   Icon 442 for workout support module 142, labeled “Workout            Support;”        -   Icon 444 for notes module 153, labeled “Notes;” and        -   Icon 446 for a settings application or module, which            provides access to settings for device 100 and its various            applications 136.

It should be noted that the icon labels illustrated in FIG. 4A aremerely exemplary. For example, icons 422 for video and music playermodule 152 are labeled “Music” or “Music Player.” Other labels are,optionally, used for various application icons. In some embodiments, alabel for a respective application icon includes a name of anapplication corresponding to the respective application icon. In someembodiments, a label for a particular application icon is distinct froma name of an application corresponding to the particular applicationicon.

FIG. 4B illustrates an exemplary user interface on a device (e.g.,device 300, FIG. 3) with a touch-sensitive surface 451 (e.g., a tabletor touchpad 355, FIG. 3) that is separate from the display 450 (e.g.,touch screen display 112). Device 300 also, optionally, includes one ormore contact intensity sensors (e.g., one or more of sensors 357) fordetecting intensity of contacts on touch-sensitive surface 451 and/orone or more tactile output generators 359 for generating tactile outputsfor a user of device 300.

Although some of the examples which follow will be given with referenceto inputs on touch screen display 112 (where the touch sensitive surfaceand the display are combined), in some embodiments, the device detectsinputs on a touch-sensitive surface that is separate from the display,as shown in FIG. 4B. In some embodiments the touch sensitive surface(e.g., 451 in FIG. 4B) has a primary axis (e.g., 452 in FIG. 4B) thatcorresponds to a primary axis (e.g., 453 in FIG. 4B) on the display(e.g., 450). In accordance with these embodiments, the device detectscontacts (e.g., 460 and 462 in FIG. 4B) with the touch-sensitive surface451 at locations that correspond to respective locations on the display(e.g., in FIG. 4B, 460 corresponds to 468 and 462 corresponds to 470).In this way, user inputs (e.g., contacts 460 and 462, and movementsthereof) detected by the device on the touch-sensitive surface (e.g.,451 in FIG. 4B) are used by the device to manipulate the user interfaceon the display (e.g., 450 in FIG. 4B) of the multifunction device whenthe touch-sensitive surface is separate from the display. It should beunderstood that similar methods are, optionally, used for other userinterfaces described herein.

Additionally, while the following examples are given primarily withreference to finger inputs (e.g., finger contacts, finger tap gestures,finger swipe gestures), it should be understood that, in someembodiments, one or more of the finger inputs are replaced with inputfrom another input device (e.g., a mouse based input or stylus input).For example, a swipe gesture is, optionally, replaced with a mouse click(e.g., instead of a contact) followed by movement of the cursor alongthe path of the swipe (e.g., instead of movement of the contact). Asanother example, a tap gesture is, optionally, replaced with a mouseclick while the cursor is located over the location of the tap gesture(e.g., instead of detection of the contact followed by ceasing to detectthe contact). Similarly, when multiple user inputs are simultaneouslydetected, it should be understood that multiple computer mice are,optionally, used simultaneously, or a mouse and finger contacts are,optionally, used simultaneously.

FIG. 5A illustrates exemplary personal electronic device 500. Device 500includes body 502. In some embodiments, device 500 has touch-sensitivedisplay screen 504. Alternatively, or in addition to touchscreen 504,device 500 has a display and a touch-sensitive surface. In someembodiments, touchscreen 504 (or the touch-sensitive surface) may haveone or more intensity sensors for detecting intensity of contacts (e.g.touches) being applied. The one or more intensity sensors of touchscreen504 (or the touch-sensitive surface) can provide output data thatrepresents the intensity of touches. The user interface of device 500can respond to touches based on their intensity, meaning that touches ofdifferent intensities can invoke different user interface operations ondevice 500.

In some embodiments, regardless of whether touchscreen 504 (or thetouch-sensitive surface) has the above-described intensity sensors,device 500 can optionally communicate with a stylus having apressure-sensitive tip that detects and provides data regarding theintensity of the stylus's touch on device 500, particularly touchscreen504.

Techniques for detecting and processing touch intensity may be found,for example, in related applications: International Patent ApplicationSerial No. PCT/US2013/040061, entitled “Device, Method, and GraphicalUser Interface for Displaying User Interface Objects Corresponding to anApplication,” filed May 8, 2013 and International Patent ApplicationSerial No. PCT/US2013/069483, entitled “Device, Method, and GraphicalUser Interface for Transitioning Between Touch Input to Display OutputRelationships,” filed Nov. 11, 2013.

In some embodiments, device 500 has one or more input mechanisms 506 and508. Input mechanisms 506 and 508, if included, can be physical.Examples of physical input mechanisms include push buttons and rotatablemechanisms. In some embodiments, device 500 has one or more attachmentmechanisms. Such attachment mechanisms, if included, can permitattachment of device 500 with, for example, hats, eyewear, earrings,necklaces, shirts, jackets, bracelets, watch straps, chains, trousers,belts, shoes, purses, backpacks, and so forth. These attachmentmechanisms may permit device 500 to be worn by a user.

FIG. 5B depicts exemplary personal electronic device 500. Device 500 hasbus 512 that operatively couples I/O section 514 with one or morecomputer processors 516 and memory 518. I/O section 514 can be connectedto display 504, which can have touch-sensitive component 522 and,optionally, touch-intensity sensitive component 524. In addition, I/Osection 514 can be connected with communication unit 530 for receivingapplication and operating system data, using Wi-Fi, Bluetooth™, nearfield communication (“NFC”), cellular and/or other wirelesscommunication techniques. Device 500 can include input mechanisms 506and/or 508. Input mechanism 506 may be a rotatable input device, forexample. Input mechanism 508 may be a button, in some examples.

Input mechanism 508 may be a microphone, in some examples. Computingdevice 500 can include various sensors, such as GPS sensor 532,accelerometer 534, directional sensor 540 (e.g., compass), gyroscope536, motion sensor 538, and/or a combination thereof, all of which canbe operatively connected to I/O section 514.

Memory 518 of computing device 500 can be a non-transitory computerreadable storage medium, for storing computer-executable instructions,which, when executed by one or more computer processors 516, forexample, can cause the computer processors to perform the techniquesdescribed above, including the processes of FIGS. 7, 9A, 9B, 11, 13K,22, 31, 39, and 46. The computer-executable instructions can also bestored and/or transported within any non-transitory computer readablestorage medium for use by or in connection with an instruction executionsystem, apparatus, or device, such as a computer-based system,processor-containing system, or other system that can fetch theinstructions from the instruction execution system, apparatus, or deviceand execute the instructions. For purposes of this document, a“non-transitory computer readable storage medium” can be any medium thatcan tangibly contain or store computer-executable instructions for useby or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, ordevice. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium can include,but is not limited to, magnetic, optical, and/or semiconductor storages.Examples of such storage include magnetic disks, optical discs based onCD, DVD, or Blu-ray technologies, as well as persistent solid-statememory such as flash, solid-state drives, and the like. Computing device500 is not limited to the components and configuration of FIG. 5B, butcan include other or additional components in multiple configurations.

FIG. 5C illustrates exemplary personal electronic device 550. In theillustrated example, device 550 is a watch that generally includes body552 and strap 554 for affixing device 550 to the body of a user. Thatis, device 550 is wearable. Body 552 can designed to couple with straps554. Device 550 can have touch-sensitive display screen (hereaftertouchscreen) 556 and crown 558. Device 550 can also have buttons 560,562, and 564.

Conventionally, the term ‘crown,’ in the context of a watch, refers tothe cap atop a stem for winding the watch. In the context of a personalelectronic device, the crown can be a physical component of theelectronic device, rather than a virtual crown on a touch sensitivedisplay. Crown 558 can be mechanical, meaning that it can be connectedto a sensor for converting physical movement of the crown intoelectrical signals. Crown 558 can rotate in two directions of rotation(e.g., forward and backward). Crown 558 can also be pushed in towardsthe body of device 550 and/or be pulled away from device 550. Crown 558can be touch-sensitive, for example, using capacitive touch technologiesthat can detect whether a user is touching the crown. Moreover, crown558 can further be rocked in one or more directions or translated alonga track along an edge or at least partially around a perimeter of body552. In some examples, more than one crown 558 can be used. The visualappearance of crown 558 can, but need not, resemble crowns ofconventional watches. Buttons 560, 562, and 564, if included, can eachbe a physical or a touch-sensitive button. That is, the buttons may be,for example, physical buttons or capacitive buttons. Further, body 552,which can include a bezel, may have predetermined regions on the bezelthat act as buttons.

Display 556 can include a display device, such as a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD), light-emitting diode (LED) display, organiclight-emitting diode (OLED) display, or the like, positioned partiallyor fully behind or in front of a touch sensor panel implemented usingany desired touch sensing technology, such as mutual-capacitance touchsensing, self-capacitance touch sensing, resistive touch sensing,projection scan touch sensing, or the like. Display 556 can allow a userto perform various functions by touching over hovering near the touchsensor panel using one or more fingers or other object.

In some examples, device 550 can further include one or more pressuresensors (not shown) for detecting a force or pressure applied to thedisplay. The force or pressure applied to display 556 can be used as aninput to device 550 to perform any desired operation, such as making aselection, entering or exiting a menu, causing the display of additionaloptions/actions, or the like. In some examples, different operations canbe performed based on the amount of force or pressure being applied todisplay 556. The one or more pressure sensors can further be used todetermine a position that the force is being applied to display 556.

FIG. 5D illustrates a block diagram of some of the components of device550. As shown, crown 558 can be coupled to encoder 572, which can beconfigured to monitor a physical state or change of state of crown 558(e.g., the position of the crown), convert it to an electrical signal(e.g., convert it to an analog or digital signal representation of theposition or change in position of crown 558), and provide the signal toprocessor 570. For instance, in some examples, encoder 572 can beconfigured to sense the absolute rotational position (e.g., an anglebetween 0-360°) of crown 558 and output an analog or digitalrepresentation of this position to processor 570. Alternatively, inother examples, encoder 572 can be configured to sense a change inrotational position (e.g., a change in rotational angle) of crown 558over some sampling period and to output an analog or digitalrepresentation of the sensed change to processor 570. In these examples,the crown position information can further indicate a direction ofrotation of the crown (e.g., a positive value can correspond to onedirection and a negative value can correspond to the other). In yetother examples, encoder 572 can be configured to detect a rotation ofcrown 558 in any desired manner (e.g., velocity, acceleration, or thelike) and can provide the crown rotational information to processor 570.In alternative examples, instead of providing information to processor570, this information can be provided to other components of device 550.While the examples described herein refer to the use of rotationalposition of crown 558 to control scrolling, scaling, or an objectsposition, it should be appreciated that any other physical state ofcrown 558 can be used.

In some examples, the physical state of the crown can control physicalattributes of display 556. For example, if crown 558 is in a particularposition (e.g., rotated forward), display 556 can have limited z-axistraversal ability. In other words, the physical state of the crown canrepresent physical modal functionality of display 556. In some examples,a temporal attribute of the physical state of crown 558 can be used asan input to device 550. For example, a fast change in physical state canbe interpreted differently than a slow change in physical state.

Processor 570 can be further coupled to receive input signals frombuttons 560, 562, and 564, along with touch signals from touch-sensitivedisplay 556. The buttons may be, for example, physical buttons orcapacitive buttons. Further, body 552, which can include a bezel, mayhave predetermined regions on the bezel that act as buttons. Processor570 can be configured to interpret these input signals and outputappropriate display signals to cause an image to be produced bytouch-sensitive display 556. While a single processor 570 is shown, itshould be appreciated that any number of processors or othercomputational devices can be used to perform the general functionsdiscussed above.

As used here, the term “affordance” refers to a user-interactivegraphical user interface object that may be displayed on the displayscreen of device 100, 300, and/or 500 (FIGS. 1, 3, and 5). For example,an image (e.g., icon), a button, and text (e.g., hyperlink) may eachconstitute an affordance.

As used herein, the term “focus selector” refers to an input elementthat indicates a current part of a user interface with which a user isinteracting. In some implementations that include a cursor or otherlocation marker, the cursor acts as a “focus selector,” so that when aninput (e.g., a press input) is detected on a touch-sensitive surface(e.g., touchpad 355 in FIG. 3 or touch-sensitive surface 451 in FIG. 4B)while the cursor is over a particular user interface element (e.g., abutton, window, slider or other user interface element), the particularuser interface element is adjusted in accordance with the detectedinput. In some implementations that include a touch-screen display(e.g., touch-sensitive display system 112 in FIG. 1A or touch screen 112in FIG. 4A) that enables direct interaction with user interface elementson the touch-screen display, a detected contact on the touch-screen actsas a “focus selector,” so that when an input (e.g., a press input by thecontact) is detected on the touch-screen display at a location of aparticular user interface element (e.g., a button, window, slider orother user interface element), the particular user interface element isadjusted in accordance with the detected input. In some implementationsfocus is moved from one region of a user interface to another region ofthe user interface without corresponding movement of a cursor ormovement of a contact on a touch-screen display (e.g., by using a tabkey or arrow keys to move focus from one button to another button); inthese implementations, the focus selector moves in accordance withmovement of focus between different regions of the user interface.Without regard to the specific form taken by the focus selector, thefocus selector is generally the user interface element (or contact on atouch-screen display) that is controlled by the user so as tocommunicate the user's intended interaction with the user interface(e.g., by indicating, to the device, the element of the user interfacewith which the user is intending to interact). For example, the locationof a focus selector (e.g., a cursor, a contact or a selection box) overa respective button while a press input is detected on thetouch-sensitive surface (e.g., a touchpad or touch screen) will indicatethat the user is intending to activate the respective button (as opposedto other user interface elements shown on a display of the device).

As used in the specification and claims, the term “characteristicintensity” of a contact refers to a characteristic of the contact basedon one or more intensities of the contact. In some embodiments, thecharacteristic intensity is based on multiple intensity samples. Thecharacteristic intensity is, optionally, based on a predefined number ofintensity samples, or a set of intensity samples collected during apredetermined time period (e.g., 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10seconds) relative to a predefined event (e.g., after detecting thecontact, prior to detecting liftoff of the contact, before or afterdetecting a start of movement of the contact, prior to detecting an endof the contact, before or after detecting an increase in intensity ofthe contact, and/or before or after detecting a decrease in intensity ofthe contact). A characteristic intensity of a contact is, optionallybased on one or more of: a maximum value of the intensities of thecontact, a mean value of the intensities of the contact, an averagevalue of the intensities of the contact, a top 10 percentile value ofthe intensities of the contact, a value at the half maximum of theintensities of the contact, a value at the 90 percent maximum of theintensities of the contact, or the like. In some embodiments, theduration of the contact is used in determining the characteristicintensity (e.g., when the characteristic intensity is an average of theintensity of the contact over time). In some embodiments, thecharacteristic intensity is compared to a set of one or more intensitythresholds to determine whether an operation has been performed by auser. For example, the set of one or more intensity thresholds mayinclude a first intensity threshold and a second intensity threshold. Inthis example, a contact with a characteristic intensity that does notexceed the first threshold results in a first operation, a contact witha characteristic intensity that exceeds the first intensity thresholdand does not exceed the second intensity threshold results in a secondoperation, and a contact with a characteristic intensity that exceedsthe third threshold results in a third operation. In some embodiments, acomparison between the characteristic intensity and one or morethresholds is used to determine whether or not to perform one or moreoperations (e.g., whether to perform a respective option or forgoperforming the respective operation) rather than being used to determinewhether to perform a first operation or a second operation.

In some embodiments, a portion of a gesture is identified for purposesof determining a characteristic intensity. For example, atouch-sensitive surface may receive a continuous swipe contacttransitioning from a start location and reaching an end location, atwhich point the intensity of the contact increases. In this example, thecharacteristic intensity of the contact at the end location may be basedon only a portion of the continuous swipe contact, and not the entireswipe contact (e.g., only the portion of the swipe contact at the endlocation). In some embodiments, a smoothing algorithm may be applied tothe intensities of the swipe contact prior to determining thecharacteristic intensity of the contact. For example, the smoothingalgorithm optionally includes one or more of: an unweightedsliding-average smoothing algorithm, a triangular smoothing algorithm, amedian filter smoothing algorithm, and/or an exponential smoothingalgorithm. In some circumstances, these smoothing algorithms eliminatenarrow spikes or dips in the intensities of the swipe contact forpurposes of determining a characteristic intensity.

The intensity of a contact on the touch-sensitive surface may becharacterized relative to one or more intensity thresholds, such as acontact-detection intensity threshold, a light press intensitythreshold, a deep press intensity threshold, and/or one or more otherintensity thresholds. In some embodiments, the light press intensitythreshold corresponds to an intensity at which the device will performoperations typically associated with clicking a button of a physicalmouse or a trackpad. In some embodiments, the deep press intensitythreshold corresponds to an intensity at which the device will performoperations that are different from operations typically associated withclicking a button of a physical mouse or a trackpad. In someembodiments, when a contact is detected with a characteristic intensitybelow the light press intensity threshold (e.g., and above a nominalcontact-detection intensity threshold below which the contact is nolonger detected), the device will move a focus selector in accordancewith movement of the contact on the touch-sensitive surface withoutperforming an operation associated with the light press intensitythreshold or the deep press intensity threshold. Generally, unlessotherwise stated, these intensity thresholds are consistent betweendifferent sets of user interface figures.

An increase of characteristic intensity of the contact from an intensitybelow the light press intensity threshold to an intensity between thelight press intensity threshold and the deep press intensity thresholdis sometimes referred to as a “light press” input. An increase ofcharacteristic intensity of the contact from an intensity below the deeppress intensity threshold to an intensity above the deep press intensitythreshold is sometimes referred to as a “deep press” input. An increaseof characteristic intensity of the contact from an intensity below thecontact-detection intensity threshold to an intensity between thecontact-detection intensity threshold and the light press intensitythreshold is sometimes referred to as detecting the contact on thetouch-surface. A decrease of characteristic intensity of the contactfrom an intensity above the contact-detection intensity threshold to anintensity below the contact-detection intensity threshold is sometimesreferred to as detecting liftoff of the contact from the touch-surface.In some embodiments the contact-detection intensity threshold is zero.In some embodiments the contact-detection intensity threshold is greaterthan zero.

In some embodiments described herein, one or more operations areperformed in response to detecting a gesture that includes a respectivepress input or in response to detecting the respective press inputperformed with a respective contact (or a plurality of contacts), wherethe respective press input is detected based at least in part ondetecting an increase in intensity of the contact (or plurality ofcontacts) above a press-input intensity threshold. In some embodiments,the respective operation is performed in response to detecting theincrease in intensity of the respective contact above the press-inputintensity threshold (e.g., a “down stroke” of the respective pressinput). In some embodiments, the press input includes an increase inintensity of the respective contact above the press-input intensitythreshold and a subsequent decrease in intensity of the contact belowthe press-input intensity threshold, and the respective operation isperformed in response to detecting the subsequent decrease in intensityof the respective contact below the press-input threshold (e.g., an “upstroke” of the respective press input).

In some embodiments, the device employs intensity hysteresis to avoidaccidental inputs sometimes termed “jitter,” where the device defines orselects a hysteresis intensity threshold with a predefined relationshipto the press-input intensity threshold (e.g., the hysteresis intensitythreshold is X intensity units lower than the press-input intensitythreshold or the hysteresis intensity threshold is 75%, 90% or somereasonable proportion of the press-input intensity threshold). Thus, insome embodiments, the press input includes an increase in intensity ofthe respective contact above the press-input intensity threshold and asubsequent decrease in intensity of the contact below the hysteresisintensity threshold that corresponds to the press-input intensitythreshold, and the respective operation is performed in response todetecting the subsequent decrease in intensity of the respective contactbelow the hysteresis intensity threshold (e.g., an “up stroke” of therespective press input). Similarly, in some embodiments, the press inputis detected only when the device detects an increase in intensity of thecontact from an intensity at or below the hysteresis intensity thresholdto an intensity at or above the press-input intensity threshold and,optionally, a subsequent decrease in intensity of the contact to anintensity at or below the hysteresis intensity, and the respectiveoperation is performed in response to detecting the press input (e.g.,the increase in intensity of the contact or the decrease in intensity ofthe contact, depending on the circumstances).

For ease of explanation, the description of operations performed inresponse to a press input associated with a press-input intensitythreshold or in response to a gesture including the press input are,optionally, triggered in response to detecting either: an increase inintensity of a contact above the press-input intensity threshold, anincrease in intensity of a contact from an intensity below thehysteresis intensity threshold to an intensity above the press-inputintensity threshold, a decrease in intensity of the contact below thepress-input intensity threshold, and/or a decrease in intensity of thecontact below the hysteresis intensity threshold corresponding to thepress-input intensity threshold. Additionally, in examples where anoperation is described as being performed in response to detecting adecrease in intensity of a contact below the press-input intensitythreshold, the operation is, optionally, performed in response todetecting a decrease in intensity of the contact below a hysteresisintensity threshold corresponding to, and lower than, the press-inputintensity threshold.

Attention is now directed towards embodiments of devices, userinterfaces, and associated processes that may be implemented on amultifunction device, such as devices 100, 300, 500, and/or 550, toimprove a user's experience in manipulating user interface objects.

FIGS. 6A-6F illustrate exemplary user interfaces for manipulating userinterface objects using an electronic device, in accordance with someembodiments. In some embodiments, the electronic device is device 500.The electronic device has a display (e.g., 112, 340, 504) and arotatable input mechanism (e.g., 506).

FIG. 6A illustrates a document 602, which is an example of a userinterface object. Document 602 includes a title 604A, a paragraph ofbody text 606A, and an image 608A. The electronic device is configuredto allow a user to scroll through document 602, such that only a portionof the document 602 is visible on the display (e.g., 504) at aparticular time. The scroll position of the document is a characteristicof the document. The value of the scroll position of the documentchanges as the document is scrolled.

The user interface figures described optionally include a series (e.g.,610) that shows the range of the characteristic of the object. Theseseries are typically not part of the displayed user interface, but areprovided to aid in the interpretation of the figures. In this example,the scroll position of the document can range from 0.0 to 1.0, asillustrated in the series 610 having a scroll position (e.g., thecharacteristic) ranging between 0.0 (e.g., 610A) to 1.0 (e.g., 610B).

In this example, the series 610 includes various subsets of the range ofthe series 610, which modify how the object's characteristic ismanipulated by a user. Subset 604B, subset 606B, and subset 608B areillustrated in FIG. 6A. As with the series, subsets illustrated in thefigures are typically not part of the displayed user interface, but areprovided to aid in the interpretation of the figures. For example, therange of subset 606B is from 606C (e.g., scroll position value of 0.42)to 606D (e.g., scroll position value of 0.56) on the series 610. Thescrolling behavior of the document 602 varies when the value of thescroll position of the document 602 is within the range of the subset606B, as compared to scrolling behavior just prior to entry into therange of subset 606B. In some embodiments, scrolling behavior of thedocument varies between a first behavior when the scroll position iswithin the range of any of subsets 604B, 606B, and 608B, as compared toa second behavior when the scroll position is not within any of thesubsets. In some embodiments, scrolling behavior is different for eachof the subsets 604B, 606B, and 608B as compared to each other and ascompared to scrolling behavior when outside any subset.

FIG. 6B illustrates a viewable display area 620, a rotatable inputmechanism (e.g., 506), and a scroll value indicator 622 of an electronicdevice (e.g., device 500). The viewable display area 620 encompasses anexemplary area identifying the displayed user interface. For example,display area 620 illustrates the portion of the document 602 that isdisplayed on the display when the document 602 is scrolled using therotatable input mechanism 506. The scroll value indicator 622 helps inthe interpretation of the figures by illustrating the value of thescroll position of the document 602, as will be described in relation toFIGS. 6C-6E. The scroll value indicator 622 is typically not part of thedisplayed user interface.

FIG. 6C illustrates the viewable portion of document 602, as illustratedby display area 620. In FIG. 6C, the value of the scroll position of thedocument is illustrated by scroll value indicator 622 (e.g., scrollposition value of 0.63). The device displays, on the display, the object(e.g., document 602) in accordance with a value (e.g., scroll positionvalue of 0.63 in FIG. 6C) of a characteristic (e.g., scroll position) ofthe object, the value being within a range of values of thecharacteristic (e.g., within the series 610 ranging from 0.0 to 1.0). Inother examples, the characteristic of the object may be, for example,the zoom size (e.g., magnification) of the object or the degree ofrotation of the object.

The device receives a user input request, the user input requestrepresenting rotation of the rotatable input mechanism (e.g., 506). Forexample, the user rotates the rotatable input mechanism 506 in order tochange the scroll position of the document 602.

The device determines whether the value (e.g., the scroll positionvalue) of the characteristic (e.g., scroll position) of the object(e.g., 602) is within a predetermined subset (e.g., within the range ofsubset 606B) of the range of values (e.g., 610) of the characteristic.

In accordance with a determination that the value (e.g., scroll positionvalue) of the characteristic (e.g., scroll position) of the object(e.g., 602) is not within the predetermined subset of the range ofvalues of the characteristic, the device updates the value (e.g., scrollposition value) of the characteristic (e.g., scroll position) of theobject within the range of values of the characteristic based on theuser input request and in accordance with a second function, asillustrated in FIGS. 6C-6D.

In accordance with a determination that the value (e.g., scroll positionvalue) of the characteristic (e.g., scroll position) of the object(e.g., 602) is within the predetermined subset (e.g., 606B) of the rangeof values of the characteristic, the device updates the value (e.g.,scroll position value) of the characteristic (e.g., scroll position) ofthe object within the range of values of the characteristic based on theuser input request and in accordance with a first function, asillustrated in FIG. 6E. The first function and the second function aredifferent functions.

Thus, as the user rotates the rotatable input mechanism, document 602begins to scroll on the display. As illustrated in FIGS. 6C-6D, duringcertain portions of the scroll (e.g., while not within subsets 604B,606B, and 606C), the scrolling occurs based on the second function. Asillustrated in FIG. 6E, during other portions of the scroll (e.g., whilewithin subset 606B), the scrolling occurs based on the first function.For example, a particular rotation of the rotatable input mechanism canbe used to scroll through the entire range between subsets 608B and 606B(e.g., starting at scroll position value 0.70 and scrolling from 0.70 to0.56 based on the second function). However, the same particularrotation of the rotatable input mechanism may only scroll through aportion of the subset 608B (e.g., starting at scroll position value 0.56and scrolling from 0.56 to 0.53 based on the first function). Byreducing the amount that the document is scrolled while within a subset(e.g., 606B), the device provides higher resolution (and therefore moreprecision) for scrolling through those portions of the document; doingso may also encourage increased user dwell-time on certain portions ofthe document. In some embodiments, the subsets can be configured toalign with particular aspects of the document, such as title 604A,paragraph of body text 606A, and image 608A, in order to more allow formore precise scrolling through those aspects of the document.

FIG. 6F illustrates manipulating the zoom of an object (e.g., an image612). The image (e.g., 612) is displayed in accordance with a value(e.g., zoom size value) of a characteristic (e.g., zoom size) of theobject, the value being within a range of values of the characteristic(e.g., along series 614). In this example, the subsets 612A, 612B, 612Cmay be used to speed up the change in the characteristic. Thus, as theuser rotates the rotatable input mechanism, the image zooms according todifferent zoom size values. While the zoom size values are withinsubsets 612A, 612B, 612C, the progression along series 612 happensquickly (e.g., a slight turn of the rotatable input mechanism changesthe zoom of the image significantly). While the zoom size values are notwithin subsets 612A, 612B, 612C, the progression along series 612happens slowly (e.g., even a significant turn of the rotatable inputmechanism only slight changes the zoom of the image). As a result, thedevice provides higher resolution (and therefore more precision) forzooming through certain zoom size values.

When the image reaches the minimum (e.g., 0.0) zoom size, the image mayshrink to less than the 0.0 level of zoom before returning to the 0.0level of zoom. This rubberbanding effect provides an indication to theuser that the minimum zoom limit has been reached. Similarly, when theimage reaches the maximum (e.g., 1.0) zoom size, the image may enlargebeyond the 1.0 level of zoom before returning to the 1.0 level of zoom.This rubberbanding effect provides an indication to the user that themaximum zoom limit has been reached.

In accordance with some embodiments, updating display of the object(e.g., 602, 612) in accordance with the updated value of thecharacteristic (e.g., scroll position, zoom size) of the objectcomprises animating the object to reflect the updated value of thecharacteristic of the object (e.g., animate the document scrolling oranimate the object zooming).

In accordance with some embodiments, the predetermined subset of therange of values (e.g., 606B) of the characteristic includes anintermediate value (e.g., 606E), the intermediate value beinginclusively within the predetermined subset of the range of values ofthe characteristic (e.g., a value between and inclusive of the startvalue and the end value). The first function is based on theintermediate value (e.g., 606E) of the subset of the range of values.Thus, for example, the behavior of the characteristic (e.g., the scrollbehavior or zoom behavior), changes based on distance to theintermediate value. In accordance with some embodiments, theintermediate value of the predetermined subset (e.g., 606B) of the rangeof values of the characteristic is the mid-range value.

In accordance with some embodiments, the first function is based on adifference between the value of the characteristic of the object and theintermediate value. Thus, as an example, the precision with which thedocument can be scrolled increases as the document is scrolled closer tothe center of the predetermined subset and the precision with which thedocument can be scrolled decreases again as the document is scrolledaway from the center of the predetermined subset. For example, while thedocument scroll position is further from the intermediate value, anincremental rotation of the rotatable input mechanism causes morescrolling than the same incremental rotation of the rotatable inputmechanism, while the document scroll position is closer to theintermediate value.

In accordance with some embodiments, the updated value is based on anattribute of the user input request. In accordance with someembodiments, the attribute of the user input request is one or more ofangular velocity of the rotatable input mechanism and angularacceleration of the rotatable input mechanism.

In accordance with some embodiments, updating the value (e.g., scrollposition value or zoom size value) of the characteristic (e.g., scrollposition, zoom size) of the object (e.g., 602, 612) within the range ofvalues of the characteristic based on the user input request and inaccordance with the second function comprises: determining whether thevalue (e.g., scroll position value, zoom size value) of thecharacteristic (e.g., scroll position, zoom size) of the object iswithin a second predetermined subset (e.g., 608B) of the range of valuesof the characteristic, wherein the predetermined subset (e.g., 606B) andthe second predetermined subset (e.g., 608B) are different. Inaccordance with a determination that the value (e.g., scroll positionvalue or zoom size value) of the characteristic (e.g., scroll position,zoom size) of the object is within the second predetermined subset ofthe range of values of the characteristic, further updating the value ofthe characteristic of the object within the range of values of thecharacteristic based on the user input request and in accordance with athird function. The first function, the second function, and the thirdfunction are different functions. Thus, in one example, differentpredetermined subsets can cause varying behaviors. In another example,two or more predetermined subsets may overlap, and their effects combinefor the overlapped range.

In accordance with some embodiments, the range of values of thecharacteristic is along a single dimension (e.g., the range is not amulti-dimension X-Y range). In accordance with some embodiments, therange of values of the characteristic is a linear series.

In accordance with some embodiments, in accordance with a determinationthat the value (e.g., scroll position value, zoom size value) of thecharacteristic (e.g., scroll position, zoom size) of the object (e.g.,602, 612) is within the predetermined subset (e.g., 606B, 612B) of therange of values of the characteristic, the device performs a hapticalert at the electronic device, such as a mechanical (e.g., tactilefeedback) or audible (e.g., audio file playback) haptic alert.

In accordance with some embodiments, the object is selected from thegroup consisting of a document and an image. Examples of a documentinclude, but are not limited to: a message, a text message, a textmessage conversation, an email, a presentation, a spreadsheet, a usereditable file (e.g., a word processing file), a user ineditable file(e.g., a PDF file), a webpage, a list of items (e.g., list of contacts,list of music, list of calendar events, list of messages, list of files,list of folders). In accordance with some embodiments, thecharacteristic of the object is selected from the group consisting ofscroll position (e.g., how far up/down or left/right is the objectscrolled), zoom size (e.g., how large/small is magnification of thedocument), and degree of rotation (e.g., how many radians is the objectrotated). In accordance with some embodiments, the characteristic of theobject is scroll position and the predetermined subset of the range ofvalues of the characteristic is a range of scroll positions. Inaccordance with some embodiments, the characteristic of the object iszoom size and the predetermined subset of the range of values of thecharacteristic is a range of zoom sizes.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary process formanipulating user interface objects in accordance with some embodiments.In some embodiments, method 700 may be performed at an electronic devicewith a display (e.g., 112, 340, 504) and a rotatable input mechanism(e.g., 506). Some operations in method 700 may be combined, the order ofsome operations may be changed, and some operations may be omitted.Exemplary devices that may perform method 700 include devices 100, 300,500, and/or 550 (FIGS. 1A, 3, 5A, and 5C).

Method 700 provides an intuitive way to manipulate user interfaceobjects. The method reduces the cognitive burden on a user when using adevice to manipulate a user interface object, such as scrolling,zooming, or rotating an object, thereby creating a more efficienthuman-machine interface. For battery-operated computing devices,enabling a user to manipulate user interface objects more efficientlyconserves power and increases the time between battery charges.

At block 702, an object (e.g., document 602) is displayed in accordancewith a value (e.g., scroll position value of 0.63 in FIG. 6C) of acharacteristic (e.g., scroll position) of the object (e.g., document602), the value being within a range of values (e.g., range 0.0 to 1.0of series 610) of the characteristic (e.g., scroll position).

At block 704, a user input request is received. The user input requestrepresents rotation of the rotatable input mechanism (e.g., 506).

At block 706, it is determined whether the value (e.g., scroll positionvalue or zoom size value) of the characteristic (e.g., scroll positionor zoom size) of the object is within a predetermined subset of therange of values of the characteristic (e.g., within 604B, 606B, or608B).

At block 708, in accordance with a determination that the value (e.g.,scroll position value or zoom size value) of the characteristic (e.g.,scroll position or zoom size) of the object is within the predeterminedsubset of the range of values of the characteristic (e.g., indicator 622is within subset 608D in FIGS. 6D-6E), the value (e.g., scroll positionvalue or zoom size value) of the characteristic (e.g., scroll positionor zoom size) of the object is updated within the range of values of thecharacteristic based on the user input request and in accordance with afirst function.

At block 710, in accordance with a determination that the value (e.g.,scroll position value or zoom size value) of the characteristic (e.g.,scroll position or zoom size) of the object (e.g., document 602) is notwithin the predetermined subset of the range of values of thecharacteristic (e.g., indicator 622 is not within any subsets, as inFIG. 6C), updating the value (e.g., scroll position value or zoom sizevalue) of the characteristic of the object within the range of values ofthe characteristic based on the user input request and in accordancewith a second function, wherein the first function and the secondfunction are different functions.

At block 712, display of the object (e.g., document 602) is updated inaccordance with the updated value of the characteristic of the object(e.g., to reflect the scroll on the display).

In accordance with some embodiments, updating display of the object(e.g., 602, 612) in accordance with the updated value of thecharacteristic (e.g., scroll position, zoom size) of the objectcomprises animating the object to reflect the updated value of thecharacteristic of the object (e.g., animate the document scrolling oranimate the object zooming).

In accordance with some embodiments, the predetermined subset of therange of values (e.g., 606B) of the characteristic includes anintermediate value (e.g., 606E), the intermediate value beinginclusively within the predetermined subset of the range of values ofthe characteristic (e.g., a value between and inclusive of the startvalue and the end value). The first function is based on theintermediate value (e.g., 606E) of the subset of the range of values. Inaccordance with some embodiments, the intermediate value of thepredetermined subset (e.g., 606B) of the range of values of thecharacteristic is the mid-range value.

In accordance with some embodiments, the first function is based on adifference between the value of the characteristic of the object and theintermediate value. In accordance with some embodiments, the updatedvalue is based on an attribute of the user input request. In accordancewith some embodiments, the attribute of the user input request is one ormore of angular velocity of the rotatable input mechanism and angularacceleration of the rotatable input mechanism.

In accordance with some embodiments, updating the value (e.g., scrollposition value or zoom size value) of the characteristic (e.g., scrollposition, zoom size) of the object (e.g., 602, 612) within the range ofvalues of the characteristic based on the user input request and inaccordance with the second function comprises: determining whether thevalue (e.g., scroll position value, zoom size value) of thecharacteristic (e.g., scroll position, zoom size) of the object iswithin a second predetermined subset (e.g., 608B) of the range of valuesof the characteristic, wherein the predetermined subset (e.g., 606B) andthe second predetermined subset (e.g., 608B) are different. Inaccordance with a determination that the value (e.g., scroll positionvalue or zoom size value) of the characteristic (e.g., scroll position,zoom size) of the object is within the second predetermined subset ofthe range of values of the characteristic, further updating the value ofthe characteristic of the object within the range of values of thecharacteristic based on the user input request and in accordance with athird function. The first function, the second function, and the thirdfunction are different functions.

In accordance with some embodiments, the range of values of thecharacteristic is along a single dimension (e.g., the range is not amulti-dimension X-Y range). In accordance with some embodiments, therange of values of the characteristic is a linear series.

In accordance with some embodiments, in accordance with a determinationthat the value (e.g., scroll position value, zoom size value) of thecharacteristic (e.g., scroll position, zoom size) of the object (e.g.,602, 612) is within the predetermined subset (e.g., 606B, 612B) of therange of values of the characteristic, the device performs a hapticalert at the electronic device, such as a mechanical (e.g., tactilefeedback) or audible (e.g., audio file playback) haptic alert.

In accordance with some embodiments, the object is selected from thegroup consisting of a document and an image. Examples of a documentinclude, but are not limited to: a message, a text message, a textmessage conversation, an email, a presentation, a spreadsheet, a usereditable file (e.g., a word processing file), a user ineditable file(e.g., a PDF file), a webpage, a list of items (e.g., list of contacts,list of music, list of calendar events, list of messages, list of files,list of folders). In accordance with some embodiments, thecharacteristic of the object is selected from the group consisting ofscroll position (e.g., how far up/down or left/right is the objectscrolled), zoom size (e.g., how large/small is magnification of thedocument), and degree of rotation (e.g., how many radians is the objectrotated). In accordance with some embodiments, the characteristic of theobject is scroll position and the predetermined subset of the range ofvalues of the characteristic is a range of scroll positions. Inaccordance with some embodiments, the characteristic of the object iszoom size and the predetermined subset of the range of values of thecharacteristic is a range of zoom sizes.

In accordance with some embodiments, analysis of the object is notrequired to specify the subsets. For example, the subsets may beassociated with the object (e.g., embedded in the document) prior to theobject being accessed at the device. Such predefined subsets may bemanually specified by the author of the object.

The subsets described in relation to FIGS. 6-7 (e.g., 604B, 606B, 608B,612A, 612B, 612C) have the technical advantage of allowing coarse inputto be translated to precise control. Certain portions of documents (orcertain zoom sizes, certain degrees of rotation) can be made easier ormore difficult to move through or move away from, facilitating theprocess of directing the user's focus. Further, the subsets of aparticular object may have different properties, such as different sizeof ranges. The subsets can be used to direct the “flow” through adocument to allow for curation.

Note that details of the processes described above with respect tomethod 700 (FIG. 7) are also applicable in an analogous manner to themethods described above and below. For example, method 700 may includeone or more of the characteristics of the various methods describedabove with reference to the processes in FIGS. 9A, 9B, 11, 13K, 22, 31,39, and 46. For brevity, these details are not repeated below.

It should be understood that the particular order in which theoperations in FIG. 11 have been described is exemplary and not intendedto indicate that the described order is the only order in which theoperations could be performed. One of ordinary skill in the art wouldrecognize various ways to reorder the operations described herein, aswell as excluding certain operations. For brevity, these details are notrepeated here. Additionally, it should be noted that aspects of themethods and processes described throughout this description may beincorporated with one another.

FIGS. 8A-8F illustrate exemplary user interfaces for manipulating userinterface objects using an electronic device, in accordance with someembodiments. In some embodiments, the electronic device is device 500.The electronic device has a display (e.g., 112, 340, 504) and arotatable input mechanism (e.g., 506).

FIG. 8A illustrates a document 802, which is an example of a userinterface object. Document 802 includes a title 804A, a paragraph ofbody text 806A, and an image 808A. In some embodiments, the electronicdevice is configured to allow a user to scroll through document 802,such that only a portion of the document 802 is visible on the display(e.g., 504) at a particular time. The scroll position of the document802 is a characteristic of the document. The value of the scrollposition of the document changes as the document is scrolled.

The user interface figures described optionally include a series (e.g.,810) that shows the range of the characteristic of the object. Theseseries are typically not part of the displayed user interface, but areprovided to aid in the interpretation of the figures. In this example,the scroll position of the document can range from 0.0 to 1.0, asillustrated in the series 810 having a scroll position (e.g., thecharacteristic) ranging between 0.0 (e.g., 810A) to 1.0 (e.g., 810B).

In this example, the series 810 includes various anchors within therange of the series 810, which modify how the object's characteristic ismanipulated by a user. Anchor 804B, anchor 806B, and anchor 808B areillustrated in FIG. 8A. As with the series, anchors illustrated in thefigures are typically not part of the displayed user interface, but areprovided to aid in the interpretation of the figures. For example, thezone of anchor 806B is from 806E (e.g., scroll position value of 0.25)to 806D (e.g., scroll position value of 0.45) on the series 810. Whenthe value of the scroll position of the document 802 transitions intothe range of the anchor 806B, the document 802 is scrolled to theintermediate value 806C of the anchor 806D, as described in detailbelow.

FIG. 8B illustrates a viewable display area 820, a rotatable inputmechanism (e.g., 506), and a scroll value indicator 822. The viewabledisplay area 820 encompasses an exemplary area identifying the displayeduser interface. For example, display area 820 illustrates the portion ofthe document 802 that is displayed on the display when the document 802is scrolled using the rotatable input mechanism 506. The scroll valueindicator 822 helps in the interpretation of the figures by illustratingthe value of the scroll position of the document 802, as will bedescribed in relation to FIGS. 8C-8E. The scroll value indicator 822 istypically not part of the displayed user interface.

FIG. 8C illustrates the viewable portion of document 802, as illustratedby display area 820. In FIG. 8C, the value of the scroll position of thedocument is indicated by scroll value indicator 822 (e.g., 0.50). Thedevice displays, on the display, the object (e.g., document 802) inaccordance with a value (e.g., 0.50 in FIG. 8C) of a characteristic(e.g., scroll position) of the object, the value being within a range ofvalues of the characteristic (e.g., within the series 810 ranging from0.0 to 1.0). In other examples, the characteristic of the object may be,for example, the zoom size (e.g., magnification) of the object or thedegree of rotation of the object.

The device receives a user input request, the user input requestrepresenting rotation of the rotatable input mechanism (e.g., 506). Forexample, the user rotates the rotatable input mechanism 506 in order tochange the scroll position of the document 802.

In response to receiving the user input request, the device determineswhether the user input request causes the value (e.g., scroll positionvalue or zoom size value) of the characteristic (e.g., scroll level orzoom size) of the object to transition into range of a zone of an anchor(e.g., 806B). The anchor (e.g., 806B) has a start value (e.g., 806E), anintermediate value (e.g., 806C), and an end value (e.g., 806D) withinthe range of values of the characteristic. The zone of the anchor isbetween the start value (e.g., 806E) and the end value (e.g., 806D) ofthe anchor 806B. The zone of the anchor is the range over which theanchor influences the object, such as by causing it to scroll to theintermediate value (e.g., 806C), as is detailed below.

In accordance with a determination that the user input request causesthe value (e.g., scroll position value or zoom size value) of thecharacteristic (e.g., scroll position or zoom size) of the object (e.g.,802) to transition into range of the zone of the anchor, the deviceupdates the value of the characteristic of the object based on theintermediate value (e.g., 808C) of the anchor. Thus, when the documentis being scrolled and the scroll position value of the document entersinto range of a particular anchor, the device sets the scroll positionvalue of the document to the intermediate value of that particularanchor. The device also updates display of the object (e.g., 802) inaccordance with the updated value of the characteristic of the object.Thus, the device displays the document scrolled to the intermediatevalue of that anchor.

This concept is illustrated in FIGS. 8C-8E. In FIG. 8C, the document 802is not being scrolled. Once the device receives input at the rotatableinput mechanism, the device begins scrolling the document in accordancewith the input. In this example, the input indicates to scroll towardthe top of the document 802. When the value of the characteristictransitions into range of anchor 806B, as illustrated in FIG. 8D, thedevice scrolls the document to the intermediate point 806C of the anchor806D as illustrated in FIG. 8E.

As a result of the anchors, the device simplifies the alignment ofcontents of the document for the user. When a particular content reachesan anchor, the document automatically scrolls (sometimes referred to as“snapping”) to the intermediate point of that anchor. For example, thisallows various content in a document to be efficiently aligned with aparticular location on the display, facilitate the user's ability toscroll to those particular portions of the content.

FIG. 8F illustrates manipulating the zoom of an object (e.g., an image812). The image (e.g., 812) is displayed in accordance with a value(e.g., zoom size value) of a characteristic (e.g., zoom size) of theobject, the value being within a range of values of the characteristic(e.g., along series 814). In this example, the anchors 812A, 812B, and812C may be used to guide the change in the zoom characteristic. Thus,as the user rotates the rotatable input mechanism, the image zoomsaccording to different zoom size values. When the zoom size valuetransitions into one of anchors 812A, 812B, and 812C, the deviceautomatically changes the zoom of the image to the correspondingintermediate value of the anchor. As a result, the device facilitatesaccess manipulating an object to particular zoom size values. When theimage reaches the minimum (e.g., 0.0) zoom size, the image may shrink toless than the 0.0 level of zoom before returning to the 0.0 level ofzoom. This rubberbanding effect provides an indication to the user thatthe minimum zoom limit has been reached. Similarly, when the imagereaches the maximum (e.g., 1.0) zoom size, the image may enlarge beyondthe 1.0 level of zoom before returning to the 1.0 level of zoom. Thisrubberbanding effect provides an indication to the user that the maximumzoom limit has been reached.

In accordance with some embodiments, updating display of the object(e.g., 802, 812) in accordance with the updated value of thecharacteristic (e.g., scroll position, zoom size) of the objectcomprises animating the object to reflect the updated value of thecharacteristic of the object (e.g., animate the document scrolling oranimate the object zooming). That is, while the value of thecharacteristic is updated to the value of the intermediate value upontransitioning into the range of the anchor, the user interface maydisplay the updating of scroll (or zoom) position graphically over aperiod of time via an animation of updating to the scroll (or zoom)position corresponding to the intermediate value. Doing so may reducethe abruptness of the updating.

In accordance with some embodiments (e.g., anchor 806), the intermediatevalue (e.g., 806C) is not equal to the start value (e.g. 806E) or theend value (e.g., 806D). In accordance with some embodiments (e.g.,anchor 804), the intermediate value (e.g., 804C) is equal to the startvalue (e.g., 804C) or the end value.

In accordance with some embodiments, updating the value of thecharacteristic of the object based on the intermediate value of theanchor comprises updating the value of the characteristic of the objectto be equal to the intermediate value of the anchor (e.g., the devicesets the scroll or zoom value to the intermediate point).

In accordance with some embodiments, the start value and the end valueare different. In accordance with some embodiments, the intermediatevalue is not the average of the start value and the end value.

In some embodiments, in accordance with a determination that the userinput request causes the value (e.g., scroll position value, zoom sizevalue) of the characteristic (e.g., scroll position, zoom size) of theobject to transition into range of the zone of the anchor, the deviceinitiates a duration (e.g., a time period) during which received userinput requests to manipulate the characteristic of the object do notaffect the displayed characteristic of the object. Thus, once the valueof the characteristic of the object falls within the start value and theend value, further user input during a particular time period does notaffect the visual display of the object. This is helpful, for example,to give the user time to visually recognize that the object has moved oris moving to an intermediate value of an anchor.

In accordance with some embodiments, the duration is based on the rateof change of the value of the characteristic of the object when thevalue of the characteristic of the object transitions into range of thezone of the anchor. For example, if a document is being scrolled at ahigh scroll rate when it transitions into range of an anchor, theduration may be shorter than if the document was scrolled at a lowscroll rate.

In some embodiments, in accordance with a determination that the userinput request does not cause the value (e.g., scroll position value,zoom size value) of the characteristic (e.g., scroll position, zoomsize) of the object to transition into range of the zone of the anchor(e.g., the scroll position/zoom size of the object is between two anchorzones) or into range of a zone of a second anchor (e.g., anchor 808B),the second anchor having a second start value, a second intermediatevalue, and a second end value, and the second anchor having a zonebetween the second start value and the second end value, the deviceupdates the value of the characteristic of the object in accordance withthe user input (e.g., the device scrolls the document to a stoppingpoint not within the zone of any anchor). The device also updatesdisplay of the object in accordance with the updated value of thecharacteristic of the object (e.g., the device displays the documentscrolled according to the stopping point). The device identifies aclosest anchor, from among at least the anchor and the second anchor,based on the updated value of the characteristic of the object inaccordance with the user input. Subsequently the device updates thevalue of the characteristic of the object based on the correspondingintermediate value of the identified closest anchor (e.g., set thescroll position value to the intermediate value of the closest anchor,or set the zoom size value to the intermediate value of the closestanchor). The device also updates display of the object in accordancewith the subsequently updated value of the characteristic of the object(e.g., display the document scrolled according to the intermediate valueof the closest anchor or display the object zoomed according to theintermediate value of the closest anchor).

In accordance with some embodiments, identifying the closest anchorcomprises: calculating a difference between the updated value of thecharacteristic of the object in accordance with the user input requestand the intermediate value of the anchor, and calculating a differencebetween the updated value of the characteristic of the object inaccordance with the user input request and the intermediate value of thesecond anchor.

In accordance with some embodiments, identifying the closest anchorcomprises identifying the nearest of the start value and end value ofthe anchor and the second anchor.

In some embodiments, in accordance with a determination that the userinput request causes the value (e.g., scroll position value, zoom sizevalue) of the characteristic (e.g., scroll position, zoom size) of theobject to transition into range of the zone of the anchor, the deviceperforms a haptic alert at the electronic device, such as a mechanicalor audible (e.g., audio playback) haptic alert.

In accordance with some embodiments, the object is a document and thecharacteristic of the object is scroll position. Examples of a documentinclude, but are not limited to: a message, a text message, a textmessage conversation, an email, a presentation, a spreadsheet, a usereditable file (e.g., a word processing file), a user ineditable file(e.g., a PDF file), a webpage, a list of items (e.g., list of contacts,list of music, list of calendar events, list of messages, list of files,list of folders). The device analyzes at least a portion of thedocument, wherein analyzing at least the portion of the documentcomprises identifying locations within the document.

In accordance with some embodiments, the locations within the documentinclude one or more of: one or more page boundaries of at least theportion of the document, one or more paragraph boundaries of at leastthe portion of the document, and one or more keyword locations of atleast the portion of the document. The device assigns anchors to some orall of the identified page boundaries, paragraph boundaries, and keywordlocations of the document.

In accordance with some embodiments, the device accesses a first set ofanchor points (e.g., anchor points indicate where anchors should go,such as at paragraphs and images), assigns respective anchors to thefirst set of anchor points, detects a change in value of thecharacteristic of the object (e.g., the document has been scrolled). Inresponse to detecting the change in the value of the characteristic ofthe object, the device accesses a second set of anchor points (e.g., thedocument has scrolled and more anchors are required) and assignsrespective anchors to the second set of anchor points, wherein the firstset of anchor points and the second set of anchor points are different.

In accordance with some embodiments, the manipulation of the object isaffected by both anchors and by subsets, as described above. The devicedetermines whether the user input causes the value (e.g., scrollposition value, zoom size value) of the characteristic (e.g., scrollposition, zoom size) of the object to transition into range of the zoneof the anchor, the device determines whether the value of thecharacteristic of the object is also within a predetermined subset ofthe range of values of the characteristic. In accordance with adetermination that the value of the characteristic of the object iswithin the predetermined subset of the range of values of thecharacteristic, calculating the value of the characteristic of theobject within the range of values of the characteristic based on theuser input request and in accordance with a first function. Inaccordance with a determination that the value of the characteristic ofthe object is not within the predetermined subset of the range of valuesof the characteristic, calculating the value of the characteristic ofthe object within the range of values of the characteristic based on theuser input request and in accordance with a second function, wherein thefirst function and the second function are different functions.

In accordance with some embodiments, the object is a document or animage. Examples of a document include, but are not limited to: amessage, a text message, a text message conversation, an email, apresentation, a spreadsheet, a user editable file (e.g., a wordprocessing file), a user ineditable file (e.g., a PDF file), a webpage,a list of items (e.g., list of contacts, list of music, list of calendarevents, list of messages, list of files, list of folders). In accordancewith some embodiments, the characteristic of the object is scrollposition (e.g., how far up/down is the object scrolled), zoom size(e.g., how large/small is the document zoomed), and degree of rotation(e.g., how many radians is the object rotated).

FIG. 9A is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary process formanipulating user interface objects in accordance with some embodiments.In some embodiments, method 900 may be performed at an electronic devicewith a display (e.g., 112, 340, 504) and a rotatable input mechanism(e.g., 506). Some operations in method 900 may be combined, the order ofsome operations may be changed, and some operations may be omitted.Exemplary devices that may perform method 900 include devices 100, 300,500, and/or 550 (FIGS. 1A, 3, 5A, and 5C).

Method 900 provides an intuitive way to manipulate user interfaceobjects. The method reduces the cognitive burden on a user when using adevice to manipulate a user interface object, such as scrolling,zooming, or rotating an object, thereby creating a more efficienthuman-machine interface. For battery-operated computing devices,enabling a user to manipulate user interface objects more efficientlyconserves power and increases the time between battery charges.

At block 902, an object (e.g., document 802, image 812) is displayed inaccordance with a value of a characteristic (e.g., scroll position inFIGS. 8C-8E, zoom size in FIGS. 8F) of the object, the value beingwithin a range of values (e.g., 0.0 to 1.0) of the characteristic.

At block 904, a user input request is received, the user input requestrepresenting rotation of the rotatable input mechanism (e.g., 506).

At block 906, in response to receiving the user input request, it isdetermined whether the user input request causes the value (e.g., scrollposition value or zoom size value) of the characteristic (e.g., scrollposition or zoom size) of the object to transition into range of a zoneof an anchor (e.g., anchor 806B, anchor 812B), the anchor having a startvalue (e.g., at 806E), an intermediate value (e.g., at 806C), and an endvalue (e.g., at 806D) within the range of values of the characteristic,and the zone of the anchor being between the start value and the endvalue.

At block 908, in accordance with a determination that the user inputrequest causes the value of the characteristic of the object totransition into range of the zone of the anchor (e.g., 822 enters thezone of anchor 806B, as illustrated in FIG. 8D), blocks 910 and 912 areperformed.

At block 910, the value of the characteristic of the object is updatedbased on the intermediate value of the anchor (e.g., the scroll positionvalue is set equal to the intermediate value 806C).

At block 912, display of the object is updated in accordance with theupdated value of the characteristic of the object (e.g., the display ofdocument 802 is updated to reflect the updated scroll position value, asillustrated in FIG. 8E)

In accordance with some embodiments, updating display of the object(e.g., 802, 812) in accordance with the updated value of thecharacteristic (e.g., scroll position, zoom size) of the objectcomprises animating the object to reflect the updated value of thecharacteristic of the object (e.g., animate the document scrolling oranimate the object zooming).

In accordance with some embodiments (e.g., anchor 806), the intermediatevalue (e.g., 806C) is not equal to the start value (e.g. 806E) or theend value (e.g., 806D). In accordance with some embodiments (e.g.,anchor 804), the intermediate value (e.g., 804C) is equal to the startvalue (e.g., 804C) or the end value.

In accordance with some embodiments, updating the value of thecharacteristic of the object based on the intermediate value of theanchor comprises updating the value of the characteristic of the objectto be equal to the intermediate value of the anchor (e.g., the devicesets the scroll or zoom value to the intermediate point).

In accordance with some embodiments, the start value and the end valueare different. In accordance with some embodiments, the intermediatevalue is not the average of the start value and the end value.

In some embodiments, in accordance with a determination that the userinput request causes the value (e.g., scroll position value, zoom sizevalue) of the characteristic (e.g., scroll position, zoom size) of theobject to transition into range of the zone of the anchor, the deviceinitiates a duration (e.g., a time period) during which received userinput requests to manipulate the characteristic of the object do notaffect the displayed characteristic of the object.

In accordance with some embodiments, the duration is based on the rateof change of the value of the characteristic of the object when thevalue of the characteristic of the object transitions into range of thezone of the anchor.

In some embodiments, in accordance with a determination that the userinput request does not cause the value (e.g., scroll position value,zoom size value) of the characteristic (e.g., scroll position, zoomsize) of the object to transition into range of the zone of the anchor(e.g., the scroll position/zoom size of the object is between two anchorzones) or into range of a zone of a second anchor (e.g., anchor 808B),the second anchor having a second start value, a second intermediatevalue, and a second end value, and the second anchor having a zonebetween the second start value and the second end value, the deviceupdates the value of the characteristic of the object in accordance withthe user input (e.g., the device scrolls the document to a stoppingpoint not within the zone of any anchor). The device also updatesdisplay of the object in accordance with the updated value of thecharacteristic of the object (e.g., the device displays the documentscrolled according to the stopping point). The device identifies aclosest anchor, from among at least the anchor and the second anchor,based on the updated value of the characteristic of the object inaccordance with the user input. Subsequently the device updates thevalue of the characteristic of the object based on the correspondingintermediate value of the identified closest anchor (e.g., set thescroll position value to the intermediate value of the closest anchor,or set the zoom size value to the intermediate value of the closestanchor). The device also updates display of the object in accordancewith the subsequently updated value of the characteristic of the object(e.g., display the document scrolled according to the intermediate valueof the closest anchor or display the object zoomed according to theintermediate value of the closest anchor).

In accordance with some embodiments, identifying the closest anchorcomprises: calculating a difference between the updated value of thecharacteristic of the object in accordance with the user input requestand the intermediate value of the anchor, and calculating a differencebetween the updated value of the characteristic of the object inaccordance with the user input request and the intermediate value of thesecond anchor.

In accordance with some embodiments, identifying the closest anchorcomprises identifying the nearest of the start value and end value ofthe anchor and the second anchor.

In some embodiments, in accordance with a determination that the userinput request causes the value (e.g., scroll position value, zoom sizevalue) of the characteristic (e.g., scroll position, zoom size) of theobject to transition into range of the zone of the anchor, the deviceperforms a haptic alert at the electronic device, such as a mechanicalor audible (e.g., audio playback) haptic alert.

In accordance with some embodiments, the object (e.g., 802) is adocument and the characteristic of the object is scroll position.Examples of a document include, but are not limited to: a message, atext message, a text message conversation, an email, a presentation, aspreadsheet, a user editable file (e.g., a word processing file), a userineditable file (e.g., a PDF file), a webpage, a list of items (e.g.,list of contacts, list of music, list of calendar events, list ofmessages, list of files, list of folders). The device analyzes at leasta portion of the document, wherein analyzing at least the portion of thedocument comprises identifying locations within the document.

In accordance with some embodiments, the locations within the documentinclude one or more of: one or more page boundaries of at least theportion of the document, one or more paragraph boundaries of at leastthe portion of the document, and one or more keyword locations of atleast the portion of the document. The device assigns anchors to some orall of the identified page boundaries, paragraph boundaries, and keywordlocations of the document.

In accordance with some embodiments, the device accesses a first set ofanchor points (e.g., anchor points indicate where anchors should go,such as at paragraphs and images), assigns respective anchors to thefirst set of anchor points, detects a change in value of thecharacteristic of the object (e.g., the document has been scrolled). Inresponse to detecting the change in the value of the characteristic ofthe object, the device accesses a second set of anchor points (e.g., thedocument has scrolled and more anchors are required) and assignsrespective anchors to the second set of anchor points, wherein the firstset of anchor points and the second set of anchor points are different.

In accordance with some embodiments, the manipulation of the object isaffected by both anchors and by subsets, as described above. The devicedetermines whether the user input causes the value (e.g., scrollposition value, zoom size value) of the characteristic (e.g., scrollposition, zoom size) of the object to transition into range of the zoneof the anchor, the device determines whether the value of thecharacteristic of the object is also within a predetermined subset ofthe range of values of the characteristic. In accordance with adetermination that the value of the characteristic of the object iswithin the predetermined subset of the range of values of thecharacteristic, calculating the value of the characteristic of theobject within the range of values of the characteristic based on theuser input request and in accordance with a first function. Inaccordance with a determination that the value of the characteristic ofthe object is not within the predetermined subset of the range of valuesof the characteristic, calculating the value of the characteristic ofthe object within the range of values of the characteristic based on theuser input request and in accordance with a second function, wherein thefirst function and the second function are different functions.

In accordance with some embodiments, the object is a document or animage. Examples of a document include, but are not limited to: amessage, a text message, a text message conversation, an email, apresentation, a spreadsheet, a user editable file (e.g., a wordprocessing file), a user ineditable file (e.g., a PDF file), a webpage,a list of items (e.g., list of contacts, list of music, list of calendarevents, list of messages, list of files, list of folders). In accordancewith some embodiments, the characteristic of the object is scrollposition (e.g., how far up/down is the object scrolled), zoom size(e.g., how large/small is the document zoomed), and degree of rotation(e.g., how many radians is the object rotated).

In accordance with some embodiments, analysis of the object is notrequired to specify the anchors. For example, the anchors may beassociated with the object (e.g., embedded in the document) prior to theobject being accessed at the device. Such predefined anchors may bemanually specified by the author of the object.

The anchors described in relation to FIGS. 8 and 9A (e.g., 804B, 806B,808B, 812A, 812B, 814C) have the technical advantage of allowing coarseinput to be translated to precise control. Certain portions of documents(or certain zoom sizes, certain degrees of rotation) can be made easieror more difficult to move to, facilitating the process of directing theuser's focus. Further, the anchors of a particular object may havedifferent properties, such as different size of ranges. The anchors canbe used to direct the “flow” through a document to allow for curation.

Note that details of the processes described above with respect tomethod 900 (FIG. 9A) are also applicable in an analogous manner to themethods described above and below. For example, method 900 may includeone or more of the characteristics of the various methods describedabove with reference to the processes in FIGS. 7, 9B, 11, 13K, 22, 31,39, and 46. For brevity, these details are not repeated below.

It should be understood that the particular order in which theoperations in FIG. 11 have been described is exemplary and not intendedto indicate that the described order is the only order in which theoperations could be performed. One of ordinary skill in the art wouldrecognize various ways to reorder the operations described herein, aswell as excluding certain operations. For brevity, these details are notrepeated here. Additionally, it should be noted that aspects of themethods and processes described throughout this description may beincorporated with one another.

In a separate embodiment, FIGS. 8G-8H illustrate exemplary userinterfaces for manipulating user interface objects using an electronicdevice. In some embodiments, the electronic device is device 500. Theelectronic device has a display (e.g., 112, 340, 504) and a rotatableinput mechanism (e.g., 506).

FIGS. 8G-8H illustrate a document 842, which is an example of a userinterface object. In some embodiments, the electronic device isconfigured to allow a user to scroll through document 842, such thatonly a portion of the document 842 is visible on the display (e.g., 504)at a particular time. The scroll position of the document 842 is acharacteristic of the document. The value of the scroll position of thedocument changes as the document is scrolled.

The user interface figures described optionally include a series (e.g.,850) that shows the range of the characteristic of the object. Theseseries are typically not part of the displayed user interface, but areprovided to aid in the interpretation of the figures. In this example,the scroll position of the document can range from 0.0 to 1.0.

In this example, the series 850 includes various anchors within therange of the series 850, which modify how the object's characteristic ismanipulated by a user. Anchor 844B, anchor 846B are illustrated in FIG.8G. As with the series, anchors illustrated in the figures are typicallynot part of the displayed user interface, but are provided to aid in theinterpretation of the figures. The zone of anchor 844B is from 844E(e.g., scroll position value of 0.30) to 844D (e.g. 0.50) on the series850. The zone of anchor 846B is from 846E (e.g., value of 0.60) to 846D(e.g., value of 0.95) on the series 850. When the value of the scrollposition of the document 842 reaches a steady state (i.e., the documentstops scrolling), the device scrolls the document 842 to theintermediate value of the nearest anchor, as described in detail below.This aligns the document 842 on the display (e.g., 504) for the user'sease of viewing.

FIGS. 8G-8H also illustrate a viewable display area 860 and a scrollvalue indicator 862. The viewable display area 860 encompasses anexemplary area identifying the displayed user interface. For example,display area 860 illustrates the portion of the document 842 that isdisplayed on the display when the document 842 is scrolled using arotatable input mechanism (e.g., 506). The scroll value indicator 862helps in the interpretation of the figures by illustrating the value ofthe scroll position of the document 842. The scroll value indicator 862is typically not part of the displayed user interface.

FIG. 8G illustrates a viewable portion of document 842, as illustratedby display area 860. The device displays, on the display, the object(e.g., document 802) in accordance with a value of a characteristic(e.g., scroll position) of the object, the value being within a range ofvalues of the characteristic (e.g., within the series 850 ranging from0.0 to 1.0). In other examples, the characteristic of the object may be,for example, the zoom size (e.g., magnification) of the object or thedegree of rotation of the object.

The device receives a user input request, the user input requestrepresenting rotation of the rotatable input mechanism (e.g., 506). Forexample, the user rotates the rotatable input mechanism 506 in order tochange the scroll position of the document 842.

In response to receiving the user input request, the device updates thevalue (e.g., scroll position value, zoom size value) of thecharacteristic (e.g., scroll position, zoom size) of the object withinthe range of values of the characteristic based on the user inputrequest, and the device updates the display of the object in accordancewith the updated value of the characteristic of the object. In theexample of FIGS. 8G-8H, the device has scrolled the document and thedocument has stopped scrolling. The value of the scroll position of thedocument is illustrated by scroll value indicator 862 (e.g., scrollposition value of 0.53). Thus, when the device receives the user input,the device scrolls the document 842 to the updated scroll position value(e.g., 0.53). In some examples, the document 842 reaches a steady stateand stops scrolling once it reaches the updated scroll position value.

The device identifies a closest anchor to the updated value (e.g., 0.53)of the characteristic of the object (e.g., once the document stopsscrolling), the closest anchor identified from among at least a firstanchor (e.g., anchor 844B) having a corresponding intermediate value(e.g., 844C) and a second anchor (e.g., anchor 846B) having acorresponding intermediate value (e.g., 846C).

Subsequently the device updates the value of the characteristic of theobject based on the corresponding intermediate value of the identifiedclosest anchor. The device also updates display of the object inaccordance with the subsequently updated value of the characteristic ofthe object. Thus, the device sets the value of the characteristic of theobject equal to the intermediate value of the closest anchor and scrollsthe document to the intermediate value of the closest anchor. In anexample where the characteristic is zoom size, the magnification of theobject is change to the intermediate value of the closest anchor.

In accordance with some embodiments, updating display of the object inaccordance with the subsequently updated value of the characteristic ofthe object comprises animating the object to reflect the subsequentlyupdated value of the characteristic of the object. Thus, for example,the scroll of the document 842 from the stopped (steady state) scrollposition to the subsequently updated value is animated.

In accordance with some embodiments, the corresponding intermediatevalue of the identified closest anchor is between the respective startvalue (e.g., 846E) and the respective end value (e.g., 846D) of theidentified closest anchor, exclusive of the start value and end value,such as with anchor 846B.

In accordance with some embodiments, the corresponding intermediatevalue (e.g., 844C) of the identified closest anchor is equal to therespective start value (e.g., 844C) or the respective end value of theidentified closest anchor, such as with anchor 844B.

In accordance with some embodiments, updating the value of thecharacteristic of the object based on the corresponding intermediatevalue of the identified closest anchor comprises updating the value ofthe characteristic of the object to be equal to the correspondingintermediate value of the identified closest anchor.

In accordance with some embodiments, the corresponding start value andthe corresponding end value of the identified closest anchor aredifferent. In accordance with some embodiments, the correspondingintermediate value of the identified closest anchor is the average ofthe corresponding start value and the corresponding end value.

In accordance with some embodiments, subsequent to updating display ofthe object in accordance with the subsequently updated value of thecharacteristic of the object, the device initiates a duration (e.g., atime period) during which received user input requests to manipulate thecharacteristic of the object do not affect the displayed characteristicof the object. This is helpful, for example, to give the user time tovisually recognize that the object has moved to an intermediate value ofthe closest anchor. In accordance with some embodiments, subsequent tothe duration, updating display of the object in accordance with userinput requests received during the duration.

In accordance with some embodiments, the closest anchor is identified byidentifying the closest zone once the document 842 stops scrolling(e.g., reaches a steady state). As illustrated in FIG. 8G, the distancefrom the subsequently updated value (indicated by the scroll valueindicator 862) to the zone of anchor 844B is the distance 852 (e.g., adistance of 0.03), while the distance from the subsequently updatedvalue (indicated by the scroll value indicator 862) to the zone ofanchor 846B is the distance 850 (e.g., a distance of 0.07). In thisexample, anchor 844B is identified as the closest anchor because thedistance 852 (e.g., distance of 0.03) is less than the distance 850(e.g., distance of 0.07). Thus, identifying the closest anchor comprisesidentifying the nearest of start values and end values of the anchor andthe second anchor.

In accordance with some embodiments, the closest anchor is identified byidentifying the closest intermediate value once the document 842 stopsscrolling (e.g., reaches a steady state). As illustrated in FIG. 8H, thedistance from the subsequently updated value (indicated by the scrollvalue indicator 862) to the intermediate value 844C of anchor 844B isthe distance 856 (e.g., a distance of 0.33), while the distance from thesubsequently updated value (indicated by the scroll value indicator 862)to the intermediate value 846C of anchor 846B is the distance 854 (e.g.,a distance of 0.20). In this example, anchor 844B is identified as theclosest anchor because the distance 854 (e.g., distance of 0.20) is lessthan the distance 856 (e.g., distance of 0.33). For example, the devicecalculates a difference between the subsequently updated value of thecharacteristic of the object and the corresponding intermediate value ofthe first anchor, and calculates a difference between the subsequentlyupdated value of the characteristic of the object and the correspondingintermediate value of the second anchor. The lesser of these valuesindicates the closest anchor.

In accordance with some embodiments, the device performs a haptic alertat the device (e.g., a mechanical or audible haptic alert) whileupdating display of the object in accordance with the subsequentlyupdated value of the characteristic of the object. This provides anindicated to the user that the object is transitioning to the nearestanchor.

In accordance with some embodiments, the object is a document and thecharacteristic of the object is scroll position. Examples of a documentinclude, but are not limited to: a message, a text message, a textmessage conversation, an email, a presentation, a spreadsheet, a usereditable file (e.g., a word processing file), a user ineditable file(e.g., a PDF file), a webpage, a list of items (e.g., list of contacts,list of music, list of calendar events, list of messages, list of files,list of folders). The device analyzes at least a portion of thedocument, wherein analyzing at least the portion of the documentcomprises identifying locations within the document. In accordance withsome embodiments, the locations within the document include one or moreof: one or more page boundaries of at least the portion of the document,one or more paragraph boundaries of at least the portion of thedocument, and one or more keyword locations of at least the portion ofthe document. The device assigns anchors to some or all of theidentified page boundaries, paragraph boundaries, and keyword locationsof the document.

In accordance with some embodiments, the device accesses a first set ofanchor points (e.g., anchor points indicate where anchors should go,such as at paragraphs and images). The device assigns respective anchorsto the first set of anchor points. The device then detects a change invalue of the characteristic of the object (e.g., the document has beenscrolled), and in response to detecting the change in the value of thecharacteristic of the object, the device accesses a second set of anchorpoints (e.g., the document has scrolled and more anchors are required).The device assigns respective anchors to the second set of anchorpoints, wherein the first set of anchor points and the second set ofanchor points are different. This is helpful, for example, where anobject includes many anchor points that require anchors, but devicememory is limited and assigning anchors to all the anchor points at onetime strains the available device memory.

In accordance with some embodiments, the object is selected from thegroup consisting of a document and an image. Examples of a documentinclude, but are not limited to: a message, a text message, a textmessage conversation, an email, a presentation, a spreadsheet, a usereditable file (e.g., a word processing file), a user ineditable file(e.g., a PDF file), a webpage, a list of items (e.g., list of contacts,list of music, list of calendar events, list of messages, list of files,list of folders). In accordance with some embodiments, thecharacteristic of the object is selected from the group consisting ofscroll position (e.g., how far up/down is the object scrolled), zoomsize (e.g., how large/small is the document zoomed), and degree ofrotation (e.g., how many radians is the object rotated).

FIG. 9B is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary process formanipulating user interface objects in accordance with some embodiments.In some embodiments, method 920 may be performed at an electronic devicewith a display (e.g., 112, 340, 504) and a rotatable input mechanism(e.g., 506). Some operations in method 920 may be combined, the order ofsome operations may be changed, and some operations may be omitted.Exemplary devices that may perform method 920 include devices 100, 300,500, and/or 550 (FIGS. 1A, 3, 5A, and SC).

Method 920 provides an intuitive way to manipulate user interfaceobjects. The method reduces the cognitive burden on a user when using adevice to manipulate a user interface object, such as scrolling,zooming, or rotating an object, thereby creating a more efficienthuman-machine interface. For battery-operated computing devices,enabling a user to manipulate user interface objects more efficientlyconserves power and increases the time between battery charges.

At block 922, an object (e.g. document 842) is displayed in accordancewith a value of a characteristic (e.g., scroll position value) of theobject, the value being within a range of values (e.g., 0.0 to 1.0) ofthe characteristic.

At block 924, a user input request is received. The user input requestrepresents rotation of the rotatable input mechanism (e.g., 506).

At block 926, in response to receiving the user input request, blocks928 and 930 are performed. At block 928, the value of the characteristicof the object (e.g., document 842) is updated within the range of values(e.g., 0.0 to 1.0) of the characteristic based on the user inputrequest. At block 930, display of the object is updated in accordancewith the updated value of the characteristic of the object (e.g., thedocument is scrolled and then reaches a stopped position, which is asteady state).

At block 932, a closest anchor (e.g., anchor 844B or 846B) to theupdated value of the characteristic of the object is identified, theclosest anchor identified from among at least a first anchor (e.g.,844B) having a corresponding intermediate value (e.g., 844C) and asecond anchor (e.g., 846B) having a corresponding intermediate value(e.g., 846C).

At block 934, the value of the characteristic of the object issubsequently updated based on the corresponding intermediate value(e.g., value at 844C or 846C) of the identified closest anchor (e.g.,anchor 844B or 846B).

At block 936, display of the object (e.g., document 842) is updated inaccordance with the subsequently updated value of the characteristic ofthe object.

In accordance with some embodiments, updating display of the object inaccordance with the subsequently updated value of the characteristic ofthe object comprises animating the object to reflect the subsequentlyupdated value of the characteristic of the object.

In accordance with some embodiments, the corresponding intermediatevalue of the identified closest anchor is between the respective startvalue (e.g., 846E) and the respective end value (e.g., 846D) of theidentified closest anchor, exclusive of the start value and end value,such as with anchor 846B.

In accordance with some embodiments, the corresponding intermediatevalue (e.g., 844C) of the identified closest anchor is equal to therespective start value (e.g., 844C) or the respective end value of theidentified closest anchor, such as with anchor 844B.

In accordance with some embodiments, updating the value of thecharacteristic of the object based on the corresponding intermediatevalue of the identified closest anchor comprises updating the value ofthe characteristic of the object to be equal to the correspondingintermediate value of the identified closest anchor.

In accordance with some embodiments, the corresponding start value andthe corresponding end value of the identified closest anchor aredifferent. In accordance with some embodiments, the correspondingintermediate value of the identified closest anchor is the average ofthe corresponding start value and the corresponding end value.

In accordance with some embodiments, subsequent to updating display ofthe object in accordance with the subsequently updated value of thecharacteristic of the object, the device initiates a duration (e.g., atime period) during which received user input requests to manipulate thecharacteristic of the object do not affect the displayed characteristicof the object. In accordance with some embodiments, subsequent to theduration, updating display of the object in accordance with user inputrequests received during the duration.

In accordance with some embodiments, the closest anchor is identified byidentifying the closest zone once the document 842 stops scrolling(e.g., reaches a steady state).

In accordance with some embodiments, the closest anchor is identified byidentifying the closest intermediate value once the document 842 stopsscrolling (e.g., reaches a steady state).

In accordance with some embodiments, the device performs a haptic alertat the device (e.g., a mechanical or audible haptic alert) whileupdating display of the object in accordance with the subsequentlyupdated value of the characteristic of the object.

In accordance with some embodiments, the object is a document and thecharacteristic of the object is scroll position. Examples of a documentinclude, but are not limited to: a message, a text message, a textmessage conversation, an email, a presentation, a spreadsheet, a usereditable file (e.g., a word processing file), a user ineditable file(e.g., a PDF file), a webpage, a list of items (e.g., list of contacts,list of music, list of calendar events, list of messages, list of files,list of folders). The device analyzes at least a portion of thedocument, wherein analyzing at least the portion of the documentcomprises identifying locations within the document. In accordance withsome embodiments, the locations within the document include one or moreof: one or more page boundaries of at least the portion of the document,one or more paragraph boundaries of at least the portion of thedocument, and one or more keyword locations of at least the portion ofthe document. The device assigns anchors to some or all of theidentified page boundaries, paragraph boundaries, and keyword locationsof the document.

In accordance with some embodiments, the device accesses a first set ofanchor points (e.g., anchor points indicate where anchors should go,such as at paragraphs and images). The device assigns respective anchorsto the first set of anchor points. The device then detects a change invalue of the characteristic of the object (e.g., the document has beenscrolled), and in response to detecting the change in the value of thecharacteristic of the object, the device accesses a second set of anchorpoints (e.g., the document has scrolled and more anchors are required).The device assigns respective anchors to the second set of anchorpoints, wherein the first set of anchor points and the second set ofanchor points are different.

In accordance with some embodiments, the object is selected from thegroup consisting of a document and an image. Examples of a documentinclude, but are not limited to: a message, a text message, a textmessage conversation, an email, a presentation, a spreadsheet, a usereditable file (e.g., a word processing file), a user ineditable file(e.g., a PDF file), a webpage, a list of items (e.g., list of contacts,list of music, list of calendar events, list of messages, list of files,list of folders). In accordance with some embodiments, thecharacteristic of the object is selected from the group consisting ofscroll position (e.g., how far up/down is the object scrolled), zoomsize (e.g., how large/small is the document zoomed), and degree ofrotation (e.g., how many radians is the object rotated).

In accordance with some embodiments, analysis of the object is notrequired to specify the anchors. For example, the anchors may beassociated with the object (e.g., embedded in the document) prior to theobject being accessed at the device. Such predefined anchors may bemanually specified by the author of the object.

The anchors described in relation to FIGS. 8 and 9B (e.g., 844B, 846B)have the technical advantage of allowing coarse input to be translatedto precise control. Certain portions of documents (or certain zoomsizes, certain degrees of rotation) can be made easier or more difficultto move to, facilitating the process of directing the user's focus.Further, the anchors of a particular object may have differentproperties, such as different size of ranges. The anchors can be used todirect the “flow” through a document to allow for curation.

Note that details of the processes described above with respect tomethod 920 (FIG. 9B) are also applicable in an analogous manner to themethods described above and below. For example, method 920 may includeone or more of the characteristics of the various methods describedabove with reference to the processes in FIGS. 7, 9A, 11, 13K, 22, 31,39, and 46. For brevity, these details are not repeated below.

It should be understood that the particular order in which theoperations in FIG. 11 have been described is exemplary and not intendedto indicate that the described order is the only order in which theoperations could be performed. One of ordinary skill in the art wouldrecognize various ways to reorder the operations described herein, aswell as excluding certain operations. For brevity, these details are notrepeated here. Additionally, it should be noted that aspects of themethods and processes described throughout this description may beincorporated with one another.

FIGS. 10A-10B illustrate exemplary user interfaces for manipulating userinterface objects using an electronic device (e.g., 500), in accordancewith some embodiments. In some embodiments, the electronic device isdevice 500. The electronic device has a display (e.g., 112, 340, 504)and a rotatable input mechanism (e.g., 506).

FIGS. 10A-10B illustrates an instant messaging conversation 1002, whichis an example of user interface object. In some embodiments, theelectronic device is configured to allow a user to scroll the object(e.g., 1002), such that only a portion of the object is visible on thedisplay (e.g., 504) at a particular time. The scroll position of theobject is a characteristic of the object. The value of the scrollposition of the object changes as the object is scrolled.

The user interface figures described optionally include markers (e.g.,1002A, 1002B, 1002C). These markers are typically not part of thedisplayed user interface, but are provided to aid in the interpretationof the figures. In these examples, the markers illustrate scrollpositions of the objects.

FIGS. 10A-10B also illustrate a viewable display area (1020) and ascroll value indicator (e.g., 1022). The viewable display areaencompasses an exemplary area identifying the displayed user interface.For example, display area 1020 illustrates the portion of theconversation 1002 that is displayed on the display when the conversation1002 is scrolled using the rotatable input mechanism (e.g., 506). Therotatable input mechanism 506 and the scroll value indicator (e.g.,1022) help in the interpretation of the figures and are typically notpart of the displayed user interface.

FIG. 10A illustrates a viewable portion of conversation 1002, asillustrated by display area 1020. The device displays, on the display,the object (e.g., conversation 1002). The object is associated with afirst marker having a first value (e.g. marker 1002A) and a secondmarker having a second value (e.g., marker 1002B). A value (e.g., scrollposition value) of a characteristic (e.g., scroll position) of theobject is based on the first value of the first marker.

The device receives user input representing rotation of the rotatableinput mechanism. In response to receiving the user input representingrotation of the rotatable input mechanism, the device determines whetheran attribute of the user input (e.g., the speed, acceleration, durationof the user input) exceeds a threshold value (e.g., user input is abovea threshold speed or threshold acceleration). In accordance with adetermination that the attribute of the user input exceeds the thresholdvalue (e.g., the user input exceeds a threshold velocity or exceeds athreshold acceleration), the device updates the value of thecharacteristic of the object (e.g., 1002) based on the second value ofthe second marker. In some embodiments, the attribute is accelerationand the threshold is a threshold of acceleration of the rotatable inputmechanism, wherein the input may be referred to as a “flicking” input.The device also updates display of the object in accordance with theupdated value of the characteristic of the object. Thus, when the devicedetermines that, for example, the user input on the rotatable inputmechanism exceeds a threshold velocity, the device scrolls the documenton the display to the next marker (e.g., from marker 1002A to marker1002B). In some embodiments, the direction of the rotation of the inputmechanism determines the direction of the scroll, and the second markeris the closest marker in the determined direction of the scroll.

In accordance with some embodiments, updating display of the object inaccordance with the updated value of the characteristic of the objectcomprises animating the object to reflect the updated value of thecharacteristic of the object. For example, the device displays ananimation of scrolling the conversation to the second marker. Foranother example, when the characteristic is a zoom size, the devicedisplays an animation of zooming the object to the second marker.

In some embodiments, in accordance with a determination that theattribute of the user input is less than the threshold value (e.g., theuser input does not exceed a threshold velocity or does not exceed athreshold acceleration), the device maintains display of the object inaccordance with the value of the characteristic of the object based onthe first value of the first marker (e.g., continue to display theobject at the same position as before, or continue to display the objectat the same zoom level as before).

In some embodiments, in accordance with a determination that theattribute of the user input does not exceed the threshold value (e.g.,the user input does not exceed a threshold velocity or does not exceed athreshold acceleration), updating the value of the characteristic of theobject to a third value, the third value based on the user input. Thus,if the input does not exceed the threshold value, the object is scrolled(or zoomed) to a location other than the second marker. Accordingly,when the user rotates the rotatable input mechanism without exceedingthe threshold value, the device smoothly scrolls the object.

In accordance with some embodiments, the second marker is an anchor andthe second value of the second marker is an intermediate value of theanchor.

In some embodiments, in accordance with a determination that theattribute of the user input exceeds the threshold value (e.g., the userinput exceeds a threshold velocity or exceeds a threshold acceleration),the device performs a haptic alert (e.g., perform a mechanical oraudible alert) at the electronic device.

In accordance with some embodiments, the object is a document. Thedevice analyzes at least a portion of the document, wherein analyzing atleast the portion of the document comprises identifying locations (e.g.,locations to place markers) within the document.

In accordance with some embodiments, the locations within the documentinclude one or more of: one or more page boundaries of at least theportion of the document, one or more paragraph boundaries of at leastthe portion of the document, and one or more keyword locations of atleast the portion of the document. The device assigns markers to some orall of the identified page boundaries, paragraph boundaries, and keywordlocations of the document.

In accordance with some embodiments, the device accesses a first set ofmarkers of the object. The device detects a change in value of thecharacteristic of the object (e.g., the document has been scrolled). Inresponse to detecting the change in the value of the characteristic ofthe object, the device associates a second set of markers to the object,wherein the first set and the second set are different.

In some embodiments, in accordance with a determination that theattribute of the user input does exceeds the threshold value (e.g., theuser input exceeds a threshold velocity or exceeds a thresholdacceleration), initiating a duration during which received user inputsrepresenting rotation of the rotatable input mechanism do not affect thedisplayed characteristic of the object.

In accordance with some embodiments, the attribute of the user input isangular velocity of the rotatable input mechanism and the thresholdvalue is a threshold angular velocity. In accordance with someembodiments, the attribute of the user input is a maximum angularvelocity of the rotatable input mechanism and the threshold value is athreshold angular velocity. In accordance with some embodiments, theattribute of the user input is angular acceleration of the rotatableinput mechanism and the threshold value is a threshold angularacceleration.

In accordance with some embodiments, the object is selected from thegroup consisting of a document and an image. Examples of a documentinclude, but are not limited to: a message, a text message, a textmessage conversation, an email, a presentation, a spreadsheet, a usereditable file (e.g., a word processing file), a user ineditable file(e.g., a PDF file), a webpage, a list of items (e.g., list of contacts,list of music, list of calendar events, list of messages, list of files,list of folders).

In accordance with some embodiments, the characteristic of the object isselected from the group consisting of scroll position (e.g., how farup/down is the object scrolled), zoom size (e.g., how large/small is thedocument zoomed), and degree of rotation (e.g., how many radians is theobject rotated).

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary process formanipulating user interface objects in accordance with some embodiments.In some embodiments, method 1100 may be performed at an electronicdevice with a display (e.g., 112, 340, 504) and a rotatable inputmechanism (e.g., 506). Some operations in method 1100 may be combined,the order of some operations may be changed, and some operations may beomitted. Exemplary devices that may perform method 1100 include devices100, 300, 500, and/or 550 (FIGS. 1A, 3, 5A, and 5C).

Method 1100 provides an intuitive way to manipulate user interfaceobjects. The method reduces the cognitive burden on a user when using adevice to manipulate a user interface object, such as scrolling,zooming, or rotating an object, thereby creating a more efficienthuman-machine interface. For battery-operated computing devices,enabling a user to manipulate user interface objects more efficientlyconserves power and increases the time between battery charges.

At block 1102, an object (e.g., instant message conversation 1002) isdisplayed, wherein the object (e.g., conversation 1002) is associatedwith a first marker (e.g., 1002A) having a first value and a secondmarker (e.g., 1002B) having a second value, and wherein a value (e.g.,scroll position value or zoom size value) of a characteristic (e.g.,scroll position or zoom size) of the object (e.g., conversation 1002) isbased on the first value of the first marker.

At block 1104, user input representing rotation of the rotatable inputmechanism (e.g., 506) is received.

At block 1106, in response to receiving the user input representingrotation of the rotatable input mechanism, it is determined whether anattribute of the user input (e.g., the speed, acceleration, duration ofthe user input) exceeds a threshold value.

At block 1108, in accordance with a determination that the attribute ofthe user input exceeds the threshold value (e.g., the user input exceedsa threshold velocity or exceeds a threshold acceleration), the value ofthe characteristic of the object is updated based on the second value ofthe second marker.

At block 1110, display of the object is updated in accordance with theupdated value of the characteristic of the object (e.g., theconversation is scrolled to the marker, as illustrated in FIG. 10B).

In accordance with some embodiments, updating display of the object(e.g., conversation 1002) in accordance with the updated value of thecharacteristic of the object comprises animating the object to reflectthe updated value of the characteristic of the object.

In some embodiments, in accordance with a determination that theattribute of the user input is less than the threshold value, the devicemaintains display of the object in accordance with the value of thecharacteristic of the object based on the first value of the firstmarker (e.g., the conversation is not scrolled).

In some embodiments, in accordance with a determination that theattribute of the user input does not exceed the threshold value (e.g.,the user input does not exceed a threshold velocity or does not exceed athreshold acceleration), updating the value of the characteristic of theobject to a third value, the third value based on the user input. Thus,if the input does not exceed the threshold value, the object is scrolled(or zoomed) to a location other than the second marker.

In accordance with some embodiments, the second marker (e.g., 1002B) isan anchor and the second value of the second marker is an intermediatevalue of the anchor.

In some embodiments, in accordance with a determination that theattribute of the user input exceeds the threshold value (e.g., the userinput exceeds a threshold velocity or exceeds a threshold acceleration),the device performs a haptic alert (e.g., perform a mechanical oraudible alert) at the electronic device.

In accordance with some embodiments, the object is a document. Thedevice analyzes at least a portion of the document, wherein analyzing atleast the portion of the document comprises identifying locations (e.g.,locations to place markers) within the document.

In accordance with some embodiments, the locations within the documentinclude one or more of: one or more page boundaries of at least theportion of the document, one or more paragraph boundaries of at leastthe portion of the document, and one or more keyword locations of atleast the portion of the document. The device assigns markers to some orall of the identified page boundaries, paragraph boundaries, and keywordlocations of the document.

In accordance with some embodiments, the device accesses a first set ofmarkers of the object. The device detects a change in value of thecharacteristic of the object (e.g., the document has been scrolled). Inresponse to detecting the change in the value of the characteristic ofthe object, the device associates a second set of markers to the object,wherein the first set and the second set are different.

In some embodiments, in accordance with a determination that theattribute of the user input does exceeds the threshold value (e.g., theuser input exceeds a threshold velocity or exceeds a thresholdacceleration), initiating a duration during which received user inputsrepresenting rotation of the rotatable input mechanism do not affect thedisplayed characteristic of the object.

In accordance with some embodiments, the attribute of the user input isangular velocity of the rotatable input mechanism and the thresholdvalue is a threshold angular velocity. In accordance with someembodiments, the attribute of the user input is a maximum angularvelocity of the rotatable input mechanism and the threshold value is athreshold angular velocity. In accordance with some embodiments, theattribute of the user input is angular acceleration of the rotatableinput mechanism and the threshold value is a threshold angularacceleration.

In accordance with some embodiments, the object is selected from thegroup consisting of a document and an image. Examples of a documentinclude, but are not limited to: a message, a text message, a textmessage conversation, an email, a presentation, a spreadsheet, a usereditable file (e.g., a word processing file), a user ineditable file(e.g., a PDF file), a webpage, a list of items (e.g., list of contacts,list of music, list of calendar events, list of messages, list of files,list of folders).

In accordance with some embodiments, the characteristic of the object isselected from the group consisting of scroll position (e.g., how farup/down is the object scrolled), zoom size (e.g., how large/small is thedocument zoomed), and degree of rotation (e.g., how many radians is theobject rotated).

In accordance with some embodiments, analysis of the object is notrequired to specify the markers. For example, the markers may beassociated with the object (e.g., embedded in the document) prior to theobject being accessed at the device. Such predefined markers may bemanually specified by the author of the object.

The markers described in relation to FIGS. 10 and 11 (e.g., 1002A,1002B, 1002C) have the technical advantage of allowing coarse input tobe translated to precise control. Certain portions of documents (orcertain zoom sizes, certain degrees of rotation) can be made easier ormore difficult to move to, facilitating the process of directing theuser's focus. Further, the markers of a particular object may havedifferent properties, such as different thresholds to move to them. Themarkers can be used to direct the “flow” through a document to allow forcuration.

Note that details of the processes described above with respect tomethod 1100 (FIG. 11) are also applicable in an analogous manner to themethods described above and below. For example, method 1100 may includeone or more of the characteristics of the various methods describedabove with reference to the processes in FIGS. 7, 9A, 9B, 13K, 22, 31,39, and 46. For brevity, these details are not repeated below.

It should be understood that the particular order in which theoperations in FIG. 11 have been described is exemplary and not intendedto indicate that the described order is the only order in which theoperations could be performed. One of ordinary skill in the art wouldrecognize various ways to reorder the operations described herein, aswell as excluding certain operations. For brevity, these details are notrepeated here. Additionally, it should be noted that aspects of themethods and processes described throughout this description may beincorporated with one another.

FIG. 12 shows exemplary functional blocks of an electronic device 1200that, in some embodiments, perform the features described above andbelow. As shown in FIG. 12, an electronic device 1200 includes a displayunit 1202 configured to display graphical objects; a touch-sensitivesurface unit 1204 configured to receive user gestures (e.g., touches);one or more RF units 1206 configured to detect and communicate withexternal electronic devices; and a processing unit 1208 coupled todisplay unit 1202, touch-sensitive surface unit 1204, and RF units 1206.In some embodiments, the processing unit 1208 includes a displayenabling unit 1210, a receiving unit 1212, and a determining unit 1214.The units of FIG. 12 may be used to implement the various techniques andmethods described above and below.

For example, the display enabling unit 1210 can be used for: displaying,on the display, an object in accordance with a value of a characteristicof the object, the value being within a range of values of thecharacteristic; displaying, on the display, an object in accordance witha value of a characteristic of the object, the value being within arange of values of the characteristic; displaying, on the display, anobject in accordance with a value of a characteristic of the object, thevalue being within a range of values of the characteristic; displaying,on the display, an object, wherein the object is associated with a firstmarker having a first value and a second marker having a second value.

For example, the receiving unit 1212 can be used for: receiving a userinput request, the user input request representing rotation of therotatable input mechanism; receiving a user input request, the userinput request representing rotation of the rotatable input mechanism;receiving a user input request, the user input request representingrotation of the rotatable input mechanism; receiving user inputrepresenting rotation of the rotatable input mechanism.

For example, the determining unit 1214 can be used for: determiningwhether the value of the characteristic of the object is within apredetermined subset of the range of values of the characteristic;determining whether the user input request causes the value of thecharacteristic of the object to transition into range of a zone of ananchor, determining whether an attribute of the user input exceeds athreshold value;

For example, the updating unit 1216 can be used for: updating the valueof the characteristic of the object within the range of values of thecharacteristic based on the user input request and in accordance with afirst function; updating the value of the characteristic of the objectwithin the range of values of the characteristic based on the user inputrequest and in accordance with a second function, wherein the firstfunction and the second function are different functions; updatingdisplay of the object in accordance with the updated value of thecharacteristic of the object; updating the value of the characteristicof the object based on the intermediate value of the anchor; updatingdisplay of the object in accordance with the updated value of thecharacteristic of the object; updating the value of the characteristicof the object within the range of values of the characteristic based onthe user input request; updating display of the object in accordancewith the updated value of the characteristic of the object; subsequentlyupdating the value of the characteristic of the object based on thecorresponding intermediate value of the identified closest anchor;updating display of the object in accordance with the subsequentlyupdated value of the characteristic of the object; updating the value ofthe characteristic of the object based on the second value of the secondmarker; and updating display of the object in accordance with theupdated value of the characteristic of the object.

The functional blocks of the device 1200 are, optionally, implemented byhardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software to carryout the principles of the various described examples. It is understoodby persons of skill in the art that the functional blocks described inFIG. 12 are, optionally, combined or separated into sub-blocks toimplement the principles of the various described examples. Therefore,the description herein optionally supports any possible combination orseparation or further definition of the functional blocks describedherein.

FIGS. 13A-13J illustrate an exemplary user interface 1300 displayingmultiple user interface objects in the form of selectable elements 1302,1304, 1306, 1308 and a focus selector 1310. A user can select aselection element from among the multiple selectable elements by using aphysical crown of a wearable electronic device to move the focusselector 1310 to align with the desired selection element.

Crown 558 of device 550 is a user rotatable user interface input (e.g.,a rotatable input mechanism). The crown 558 can be turned in twodistinct directions: clockwise and counterclockwise. FIGS. 13-13Jinclude rotation direction arrows illustrating the direction of crownrotation and movement direction arrows illustrating the direction ofmovement of one or more user interface objects, where applicable. Therotation direction arrows and movement direction arrows are typicallynot part of the displayed user interface, but are provided to aid in theinterpretation of the figures. In this example, a clockwise directionrotation of crown 558 is illustrated by a rotation direction arrowpointing in the up direction. Similarly, a counterclockwise directionrotation of crown 558 is illustrated by a rotation direction arrowpointing in the down direction. The characteristics of the rotationdirection arrow are not indicative of the distance, speed, oracceleration with which crown 558 is rotated by a user. Instead, therotation direction arrow is indicative of the direction of rotation ofcrown 558 by the user.

FIGS. 13-13J illustrate an exemplary physics-based model that can beused to control a user's interactions with user interface objects inconjunction with a physical crown user input device. In this example,elements 1302, 1304, 1306, 1308 are stationary and the focus selector1310 is movable via user input received from crown 558. Clockwisemovement of crown 558 is associated with a force on the focus selector1310 in the up movement direction and counterclockwise movement of crown558 is associated with a force on the focus selector 1310 in the downmovement direction. Accordingly, moving the focus selector 1310 from aposition aligned with element 1306, as shown in FIG. 13A, to align withelement 1304 located in the up direction, as shown in FIG. 13J, requiresa user input on the crown 558 in the clockwise direction.

To facilitate a user's ability to control the movement of focus selector1310 among the four user-selectable elements 1302, 1304, 1306, 1308, a“magnetic” relationship is associated between each user selectableelement and the focus selector 1310. Each element 1302, 1304, 1306, 1308is associated with a simulated magnetic value. In this example, themagnetic values of elements 1302, 1304, 1306, 1308 are equal. In otherexamples, the magnetic values of elements 1302, 1304, 1306, 1308 may notbe equal.

Using the magnetic relationship between the elements 1302, 1304, 1306,1308 and focus selector 1310, physics-based modeling can be used tosimulate magnetic attraction between elements 1302, 1304, 1306, 1308 andfocus selector 1310. As will be described in further detail below, userinterface 1300 causes an attraction between elements 1302, 1304, 1306,1308 and focus selector 1310. As a result, when user input is notreceived, focus selector 1310 ultimately reaches a steady state where itis aligned with one of elements 1302, 1304, 1306, 1308. An object is ina steady state when the object is not being translated, rotated, orscaled. The alignment of focus selector 1310 with the element allows theelement to be activated using a user input. Even before any user inputfor activation, alignment of focus selector 1310 with the element isindicative of the selection of that element. This physics-based magneticmodeling results in the user interface exhibiting virtual detents.

In this example, physics-based magnetic modeling is achieved, forexample, by modeling each element 1302, 1304, 1306, 1308 as an objectmade from a magnetized material that creates its own persistent magneticfield and modeling focus selector 1310 as a material that is attractedto a magnet, such as ferromagnetic materials including iron, cobalt, andnickel. In another example, the physics-based modeling can be achievedby modeling each element 1302, 1304, 1306, 1308 as an object made from amaterial that is attracted to a magnet and modeling focus selector 1310as a material that creates its own persistent magnetic field. In anotherexample, the physics-based modeling can be achieved by modeling eachelement 1302, 1304, 1306, 1308 as an object that creates its ownpersistent magnetic field and modeling focus selector 1310 as a materialthat also creates its own persistent magnetic field, such as two magnetsthat attract. Each of these physics-based models can be adapted toinclude magnetic fields that vary, rather than remain persistent, basedon certain factors, such as the distance between the element and focusselector 1310, the speed of focus selector 1310, the acceleration offocus selector 1310, or based on a combination of two or more factors.For example, the varying magnetic field may be simulated through the useof an electromagnet which can be turned on and off and can have avarying strength.

At FIG. 13A, focus selector 1310 is aligned with element 1306,indicating selection of element 1306. At FIG. 13B, device 550 determinesa change in the position of crown 558 in the clockwise direction, asindicated by rotation direction arrow 1312. In response to determiningthe change in the position of the crown 558, the device increases thespeed of focus selector 1310, moving focus selector 1310 in the updirection, as indicated by movement direction arrow 1314. In oneexample, focus selector 1310 may be associated with a mass or may have acalculated inertia.

Because element 1306 is modeled as a magnetic element and focus selector1310 is modeled as a ferromagnetic material, there is a magneticattraction between the two user interface objects. The physics-basedmodel of user interface 1300 causes a resistance of the movement offocus selector 1310 away from element 1306 using this magneticattraction. An element's magnetic value (e.g., the strength of anelement's magnet attraction) may be modeled, for example, in terms ofits pull force (the elements ability to move other objects). The pullforce exerted may be based on the pull force of either an electromagnetor a permanent magnet as described by the Maxwell equation.

At FIGS. 13C-13D, device 550 continues to determine a change in theposition of crown 558 in the clockwise direction, as indicated byrotation direction arrow 1316. In response to determining the change inthe position of the crown 558, the device 550 adds additional speed tothe focus selector 1310 in the up direction. At the same time, themagnetic attraction of elements 1302, 1304, 1306, and 1308 are acting onfocus selector 1310. At FIG. 13C, elements 1306 and 1308 are applying aforce to the focus selector 1310 in the down direction as a result ofthe physics-based magnetic modeling. Elements 1302 and 1304 are applyinga force to focus selector 1310 in the up direction as a result of thephysics-based magnetic modeling.

The distance between each element and focus selector 1310 also play arole in the amount of force the element applies to focus selector 1310.Generally, as the distance between the element and the focus selector1310 increases, the intensity of the force between the element and thefocus selector 1310 decreases. The rate of change in the intensity ofthe force can be modeled in many ways. For example, the inverse squarelaw may apply the intensity of the force as a function of the distance.More specifically, I=1/d2, where I is the intensity of the force and dis the distance. In other examples, the magnetic force can vary indirect inverse proportion to distance or can vary inversely with thethird power of distance.

In some examples, the magnetic attraction between an element and a focusselector only exists while the focus selector is within an attractionarea having an outer edge that is a predetermined distance from theelement. This simplifies calculations because the magnetic force ofelements with a distance from the focus selector that is greater than apredetermined distance are not considered in determining the forcesapplied to the focus selector.

In some examples, to add additional realism and provide further ease ofusability to the user interface, the system may also employ aphysics-based model of friction to reduce the speed of the focusselector while the focus selector is in motion. For example, the speedof the focus selector can be continuously (or repeatedly) decreasedbased on a friction coefficient value. This physics-based friction modelmay simulate kinetic friction, drag friction, or the like.

At FIG. 13D, focus selector 1310 is directly between elements 1302, 1304and elements 1306, 1308. However, focus selector 1310 continues to movein the up direction based in part on the speed or inertia associatedwith focus selector 1310.

At FIGS. 13E-13J, device 550 determines that there is no change in theposition of crown 558. As a result of this determination, no additionalspeed is added to the existing speed of focus selector 1310. However,the magnetic forces of elements 1302, 1304, 1306, 1308 continue to beapplied, as well as the physics-based friction model. At FIGS. 13E-13J,element 1304 has the largest magnetic effect on focus selector 1310, ascompared to elements 1302, 1306, 1308, because element 1304 is theclosest to focus selector 1310. This physics-based magnetic modelingresults in the user interface exhibiting virtual detents.

In FIGS. 13E-13F, element 1304 applies a magnetic force on focusselector 1310 in the up direction. At FIGS. 13G-13H, as focus selector1310 overshoots element 1304, element 1304 applies a force on focusselector 1310 in the down direction, further reducing the speed of focusselector 1310 until focus selector 1310 reaches a momentary stop at FIG.13H. At FIG. 13I, the magnetic force applied by element 1304 on focusselector 1310 in the down direction causes focus selector 1310 to movedown and align with element 1304. At FIG. 13J, focus selector 1310 comesto rest while aligned with element 1304. The system interprets thisalignment as a selection of element 1304, which is achieved by the usermanipulating focus selector 131 n through the use of crown 558.

While element 1304 is selected, the user can activate element 1304 byone or more techniques. For example, the user may press ontouch-sensitive display 556, press on the touch-sensitive display withforce above a predetermined threshold, press button 562, or simply allowelement 1304 to remain selected for a predetermined amount of time. Inanother example, aligning an element and a focus selector can beinterpreted as both a selection and an activation of the element.

In this example, movement of focus selector 1310 is constrained along apredefined vertical path. In other examples, movement of the focusselector may be constrained along a different predefined path, or maynot be constrained to a predefined path. In this example, alignment inonly one axis (the vertical axis) is used to indicate selection of anelement. In some examples, alignment in two, three, or more axes may berequired between an element and a focus selector to indicate aselection.

FIG. 13K is a flow diagram illustrating a process 1350 for selecting anelement in a graphical user interface using a physical crown as an inputdevice. Process 1350 is performed at a wearable electronic device (e.g.,device 550 in FIG. 1) having a physical crown. In some examples, theelectronic device also includes a touch-sensitive display. The processprovides an efficient technique for selecting an element from amongmultiple elements in a graphical user interface.

At block 1352, the device causes a display of a plurality of selectableelements on a touch-sensitive display of a wearable electronic device.The device also causes a display of a focus selector. The device uses aphysics-based model to simulate magnetic attraction between theselectable elements and the focus selector. Each selectable element ofthe plurality of selectable elements is associated with a correspondingmagnetic value. The magnetic value can be the strength of an element'smagnet attraction in terms of its pull force.

In some examples, the system causes the plurality of selectable elementsto be displayed linearly and equidistantly. This configuration addsadditional ease of selection of the elements by the user. Thisconfiguration is especially beneficial when the selectable elements haveequal importance and are therefore weighted equally.

At block 1354, the device receives crown position information. The crownposition information may be received as a series of pulse signals, realvalues, integer values, and the like.

At block 1356, the device determines whether a change has occurred in acrown distance value. The crown distance value is based on an angulardisplacement of the physical crown of the wearable electronic device. Achange in the crown distance value is indicative of a user providinginput to the wearable electronic device by, for example, turning thephysical crown. If the device determines that a change in the crowndistance value has not occurred, the system returns to block 1354 andcontinues receiving crown position information. If the device determinesthat a change in the crown distance value has occurred, the systemcontinues to block 1358, though the system may continue to receive crownposition information.

The device also determines a direction based on a direction of rotationof the physical crown of the wearable electronic device. For example, anup direction can be determined based on a clockwise rotation of thephysical crown. Similarly, a down direction can be determined based on acounterclockwise rotation of the physical crown. In other examples, adown direction can be determined based on a clockwise rotation of thephysical crown and an up direction can be determined based on acounterclockwise rotation of the physical crown.

At block 1358, in response to determining the change in the crowndistance value, the devices causes a movement of the focus selectortoward a selection element of the plurality of selectable elements. Thismovement changes the focus of the plurality of selectable elements. Atleast initially, the movement of the focus selector is in the determineddirection. The movement of the focus selector may be animated. Themovement has a rate of movement (speed). The system causes the rate ofmovement of the focus selector to change using the physics-basedmagnetic interaction of the focus selector with the selection elementbased at least on the magnetic value associated with the selectionelement. For example, the physics-based magnetic attraction of theselection element may cause the rate of movement of the focus selectorto increase as the focus selector moves towards the selection element.Similarly, the physics-based magnetic attraction of the selectionelement may cause the rate of movement of the focus selector to decreaseas the focus selector moves away from the selection element.

Similarly, the magnetic interaction of the focus selector with otherselectable elements may cause a change in the rate of the movement ofthe focus selector. For example, the rate of the movement of the focusselector may change as it approaches and passes an element that remainsunselected. The change in the rate of the movement of the focus selectorresulting from this interaction with the unselected element is based atleast in part on the magnetic value of the unselected element.

In some examples, the magnetic values associated with the selectableelements are virtual magnetic strengths based on a virtual pull force.

In some examples, to add additional realism and provide further ease ofusability to the user interface, the system may employ a physics-basedmodel of friction to reduce the rate of movement of the focus selectorwhile it is in motion. For example, the rate of movement of the focusselector can be continuously (or repeatedly) decreased based on afriction coefficient value. This physics-based friction model maysimulate kinetic friction, drag friction, or the like.

In some examples, the device receives an additional input through therotation of the crown before the focus selector reaches a steady state.An object is in a steady state when the object is not being translated,rotated, or scaled. In this example, the system determines a secondchange in the crown distance value. The system also determines a seconddirection, which is based on the direction of rotation of the physicalcrown of the wearable electronic device. In response to determining thesecond change in the crown distance value, the system increases ordecreases the rate of movement of the focus selector. The change in therate of the movement of the focus selector is based on the second changein the crown distance value and the second direction.

In some examples, once the focus selector aligns with the selectionelement and is in a steady state, the system determines that theselection element has been selected.

FIGS. 14-21 illustrate an exemplary user interface 1400 displayingmultiple user interface objects in the form of selectable elements 1402,1404, 1406, 1408 and a focus selector 1410. A user can select aselection element from among the multiple selectable elements by using aphysical crown of a wearable electronic device to move the focusselector 1410 to align with desired selection element. An additionalinput from the user can be used to activate the selection element thatis selected.

Crown 558 of device 550 is a user rotatable user interface input (e.g.,a rotatable input mechanism). Crown 558 can be turned in two distinctdirections: clockwise and counterclockwise. FIGS. 14-20 include rotationdirection arrows illustrating the direction of crown rotation andmovement direction arrows illustrating the direction of movement of oneor more user interface objects, where applicable. The rotation directionarrows and movement direction arrows are typically not part of thedisplayed user interface, but are provided to aid in the interpretationof the figures. In this example, a clockwise direction rotation of crown558 is illustrated by a rotation direction arrow pointing in the updirection. Similarly, a counterclockwise direction rotation of crown 558is illustrated by a rotation direction arrow pointing in the downdirection. The characteristics of the rotation direction arrow are notindicative of the distance, speed, or acceleration with which crown 558is rotated by a user. Instead, the rotation direction arrow isindicative of the direction of rotation of crown 558 by the user.

FIGS. 14-21 illustrate an exemplary physics-based model that can be usedto control a user's interactions with user interface objects inconjunction with a physical crown user input device. In this example,the elements 1402, 1404, 1406, 1408 are stationary and the focusselector 1410 is movable via user input received from crown 558.Clockwise movement of crown 558 is associated with a force on the focusselector 1410 in the up movement direction and counterclockwise movementof crown 558 is associated with a force on the focus selector 1410 inthe down movement direction.

To facilitate a user's ability to control the movement of focus selector1410 among the four user-selectable elements 1402, 1404, 1406, 1408, a“magnetic” relationship is associated between each user selectableelement and the focus selector 1410. Each element 1402, 1404, 1406, 1408is associated with a magnetic value. In this example, the magneticvalues of elements 1302, 1304, 1306, 1308 are not all equal. Unequalmagnetic values may be helpful for allowing a user to more easily selectparticular options. For example, if the system expects that 90% of thetime a user will select a particular option from among multiple options,the magnetic value of the particular option may be configured to besignificantly higher than the magnetic value of the other multipleoptions. This allows the user to quickly and easily select theparticular option, while requiring more precise navigation of the userinterface by the user to select one of the other multiple options.

In this example, the magnetic value of element 1402 is equal to themagnetic value of element 1404. This is illustrated in FIGS. 14-21 bythe equal size of elements 1402 and 1404. The magnetic value of element1406 is less than the magnetic value of element 1404. This isillustrated in FIGS. 14-21 by the reduced size of element 1406. Themagnetic value of element 1408 is larger than the magnetic value ofelement 1404. This is illustrated in FIGS. 14-21 by the larger size ofelement 1408. Thus, in this example, the magnetic strength of each ofthe elements 1402, 1404, 1406, 1408 is represented in FIGS. 14-21 by therelative size of the elements 1402, 1404, 1406, 1408.

Using the magnetic relationship between the elements 1402, 1404, 1406,1408 and focus selector 1410, physics-based modeling can be used tosimulate magnetic attraction between elements 1402, 1404, 1406, 1408 andfocus selector 1410. As will be described in further detail below, userinterface 1400 causes an attraction between elements 1402, 1404, 1406,1408 and focus selector 1410. As a result, when user input is notreceived, focus selector 1410 ultimately reaches a steady state where itis aligned with one of elements 1402, 1404, 1406, 1408. An object is ina steady state when the object is not being translated, rotated, orscaled. The alignment of focus selector 1410 with the element isindicative of the selection of that element. In other examples,additional input, such as tapping, pressing the crown or another buttonmay be required for selection. This physics-based magnetic modelingresults in the user interface exhibiting virtual detents.

In this example, physics-based magnetic modeling is achieved by modelingeach element 1402, 1404, 1406, 1408 as an object made from a magnetizedmaterial that creates its own persistent magnetic field and modelingfocus selector 1410 as a material that is attracted to a magnet, such asferromagnetic materials including iron, cobalt, and nickel. Otherphysics-based models can be used, such as those described above.

In this example, the magnetic strength of the elements 1402, 1404, 1406,1408 are not all the same, as described above. Further, the magneticstrength of elements 1402, 1404, 1406, 1408 vary based on the speed offocus selector 1410. The higher the speed of focus selector 1410, thelower the magnetic strength of elements 1402, 1404, 1406, 1408. Thelower the speed of focus selector 1410, the higher the magnetic strengthof elements 1402, 1404, 1406, 1408. As a result, when focus selector1410 is moving quickly, the elements 1402, 1404, 1406, 1408 play areduced role in changing the speed of the focus selector as compared towhen focus selector 1410 is moving slowly.

The technique of varying the magnetic strength of elements 1402, 1404,1406, 1408 is illustrated in FIGS. 14-21. The magnetic strength (and inthis example, the size) of elements 1402, 1404, 1406, 1408 is based onthe speed of focus selector 1410. For example, the varying magneticstrengths may be simulated through the use of electromagnets which canhave varying strengths.

At FIG. 14, focus selector 1410 is aligned with element 1404, indicatingselection of element 1404. In some examples, additional input, such astapping, pressing the crown or another button may be required forselection. At FIG. 15, device 550 determines a change in the position ofcrown 558 in the counterclockwise direction, as indicated by rotationdirection arrow 1430. In response to determining the change in theposition of the crown 558, the device increases the speed of focusselector 1410, moving the focus selector 1410 in the down direction, asindicated by movement direction arrow 1420. In one example, the focusselector may be associated with a mass or may have a calculated inertia.

Because element 1406 is modeled as a magnetic element and focus selector1410 is modeled as a ferromagnetic material, there is a magneticattraction between the two user interface objects. An element's magneticvalue (e.g., the strength of an element's magnet attraction) may bemodeled, for example, in terms of its pull force (the elements abilityto move other objects). The pull force exerted may be based on the pullforce of either an electromagnet or a permanent magnet as described bythe Maxwell equation.

However, the magnetic strength of elements 1402, 1404, 1406, 1408 isbased on the speed of the focus selector 1410. The faster the focusselector 1410 is moving, the smaller the magnetic strengths of elements1402, 1404, 1406, 1408. This is illustrated in FIGS. 15-17. As the focusselector 1410 speeds up, elements 1402, 1404, 1406, 1408 lose theirmagnetic strength. This loss of magnetic strength is depicted in FIGS.15-17 with the reduced size of elements 1402, 1404, 1406, 1408 forillustrative purposes. Generally, the size of elements and focusselectors do not visually change with changes to their magneticstrength.

At FIGS. 18-20, focus selector 1410 slows down. The slower the focusselector 1410 is moving, the larger the magnetic strengths of elements1402, 1404, 1406, 1408. This is illustrated in FIGS. 18-20. As the focusselector 1410 slows down, elements 1402, 1404, 1406, 1408 regain theirmagnetic strength. This regain of magnetic strength is depicted in FIGS.18-20 with the increased size of elements 1402, 1404, 1406, 1408 forillustrative purposes. Generally, the size of elements and focusselectors do not visually change with changes to their magneticstrength. To summarize, the magnetic strength of the elements isinversely related to the speed of the focus selector.

As before, the distance between each element 1402, 1404, 1406, 1408 andfocus selector 1410 also plays a role in the amount of force theelements apply to focus selector 1410.

In some examples, the magnetic attraction between an element and a focusselector only exists while the focus selector is within an attractionarea having an outer edge that is a predetermined distance from theelement. This simplifies calculations because the magnetic force ofelements with a distance from the focus selector that is greater than apredetermined distance are not considered in determining the forcesapplied to the focus selector.

In some examples, to add additional realism and provide further ease ofusability to the user interface, the system may also employ aphysics-based model of friction to reduce the speed of the focusselector while it is in motion. For example, the speed of the focusselector can be continuously (or repeatedly) decreased based on afriction coefficient value. This physics-based friction model maysimulate kinetic friction, drag friction, or the like.

At FIGS. 19-20, the magnetic force applied by element 1408 on focusselector 1410 in the down direction causes focus selector 1410 to movedown and align with element 1408. At FIG. 21, focus selector 1410 comesto rest while aligned with element 1408. The system interprets thisalignment as a selection of element 1408, which is achieved by the usermanipulating focus selector 1410 through the use of crown 558. In someexamples, additional input, such as tapping, pressing the crown oranother button may be required for selection. Further user input can beused to activate the selection.

While element 1408 is selected, the user can activate element 1408 byone or more of many techniques. For example, the user may press on thetouch-sensitive display of the device, press on the touch-sensitivedisplay with force above a predetermined threshold, press a button, orsimply allow element 1408 to remain selected for a predetermined amountof time. In another example, aligning an element and a focus selectorcan be interpreted as both a selection and an activation of the element.

In this example, movement of the focus selector is constrained along apredefined vertical path. In other examples, movement of the focusselector may be constrained along a different predefined path, or maynot be constrained to a predefined path. In this example, alignment inonly one axis (the vertical axis) is used to indicate selection of anelement. In some examples, alignment in two, three, or more axes may berequired between an element and a focus selector to indicate aselection. In some examples, additional input, such as tapping, pressingthe crown or another button after the alignment may be required forselection.

FIG. 22 is a flow diagram illustrating a process 2200 for selecting anelement in a graphical user interface using a physical crown as an inputdevice. Process 2200 is performed at a wearable electronic device (e.g.,device 550 in FIG. 1) having a physical crown. In some examples, theelectronic device also includes a touch-sensitive display. The processprovides an efficient technique for selecting an element from amongmultiple elements in a graphical user interface.

At block 2202, the device causes a display of a plurality of selectableelements on a touch-sensitive display of a wearable electronic device.The device also causes a display of a focus selector. The device uses aphysics-based model to simulate magnetic attraction between theselectable elements and the focus selector. Each selectable element ofthe plurality of selectable elements is associated with a correspondingmagnetic value. The magnetic value can be the strength of an element'smagnet attraction in terms of its pull force, and each element can havea different magnetic value.

At block 2204, the device receives crown position information. Theposition information may be received as a series of pulse signals, realvalues, integer values, and the like.

At block 2206, the device determines whether a change has occurred in acrown distance value. The crown distance value is based on an angulardisplacement of the physical crown of the wearable electronic device. Achange in the crown distance value is indicative of a user providinginput to the wearable electronic device by, for example, turning thephysical crown. If the device determines that a change in the crowndistance value has not occurred, the system returns to block 2204 andcontinues receiving crown position information. If the device determinesthat a change in the crown distance value has occurred, the systemcontinues to block 2208, though the system may continue to receive crownposition information.

The device also determines a direction based on a direction of rotationof the physical crown of the wearable electronic device. For example, anup direction can be determined based on a clockwise rotation of thephysical crown. Similarly, a down direction can be determined based on acounterclockwise rotation of the physical crown. In other examples, adown direction can be determined based on a clockwise rotation of thephysical crown and an up direction can be determined based on acounterclockwise rotation of the physical crown.

At block 2208, in response to determining the change in the crowndistance value, the device causes a movement of the focus selectortoward a selection element of the plurality of selectable elements. Thismovement changes the focus of the plurality of selectable elements. Atleast initially, the movement of the focus selector is in the determineddirection. The movement of the focus selector may be animated. Themovement has a rate of movement (speed).

In some examples, a minimum angular velocity of crown rotation that isnecessary for the focus selector to reach an escape velocity correspondsdirectly to the instantaneous angular velocity of crown 558 (FIG. 1),meaning that the user interface of device 550, in essence, responds whencrown 558 reaches a sufficient angular velocity. In some embodiments,the minimum angular velocity of crown rotation necessary for reachingthe escape velocity is a calculated velocity that is based on, but notdirectly equal to, the instantaneous (“current”) angular velocity ofcrown 558. In these examples, device 550 can maintain a calculated crown(angular) velocity V in discrete moments in time T according to equation1:

VT=V(T−1)+ΔVCROWN−ΔVDRAG.  (EQ. 1)

In equation 1, VT represents a calculated crown velocity (speed anddirection) at time T, V(T−1) represents the previous velocity (speed anddirection) at time T−1, ΔVCROWN represents the change in velocity causedby the force being applied through the rotation of the crown at time T,and ΔVDRAG represents the change in velocity due to a drag force. Theforce being applied, which is reflected through ΔVCROWN, can depend onthe current velocity of angular rotation of the crown. Thus, ΔVCROWN canalso depend on the current angular velocity of the crown. In this way,device 550 can provide user interface interactions based not only oninstantaneous crown velocity but also based on user input in the form ofcrown movement over multiple time intervals, even if those intervals arefinely divided. Note, typically, in the absence of user input in theform of ΔVCROWN, VT will approach (and become) zero based on ΔVDRAG inaccordance with EQ. 1, but VT would not change signs without user inputin the form of crown rotation (ΔVCROWN).

Typically, the greater the velocity of angular rotation of the crown,the greater the value of ΔVCROWN will be. However, the actual mappingbetween the velocity of angular rotation of the crown and ΔVCROWN can bevaried depending on the desired user interface effect. For example,various linear or non-linear mappings between the velocity of angularrotation of the crown and ΔVCROWN can be used.

Also, ΔVDRAG can take on various values. For example, ΔVDRAG can dependon the velocity of crown rotation such that at greater velocities, agreater opposing change in velocity (ΔVDRAG) can be produced. In anotherexample, ΔVDRAG can have a constant value. It should be appreciated thatthe above-described requirements of ΔVCROWN and ΔVDRAG can be changed toproduce desirable user interface effects.

As can be seen from EQ. 1, the maintained velocity (VT) can continue toincrease as long as ΔVCROWN is greater than ΔVDRAG. Additionally, VT canhave non-zero values even when no ΔVCROWN input is being received,meaning that user interface objects can continue to change without theuser rotating the crown. When this occurs, objects can stop changingbased on the maintained velocity at the time the user stops rotating thecrown and the ΔVDRAG component.

In some examples, when the crown is rotated in a direction correspondingto a rotation direction that is opposite the current user interfacechanges, the V(T−1) component can be reset to a value of zero, allowingthe user to quickly change the direction of the object without having toprovide a force sufficient to offset the VT.

At block 2210, the system determines a speed of the focus selector. Thespeed of the focus selector may be determined based on crown velocity,as described above.

At block 2212, the magnetic values of one or more of the selectableelements are modified based on the speed of the focus selector. In oneexample, the magnetic values of one or more selectable elements areinversely related to the speed of the focus selector. For example, whenthe focus selector has a speed above a first threshold, the magneticvalues of the selectable elements are reduced by a factor of 10 fromtheir original values. When the focus selector has a speed below thefirst threshold and above a second threshold, the magnetic values of theselectable elements are reduced by a factor of 5 from their originalvalues. When the focus selector further slows down and has a speed belowthe second threshold, the magnetic values of the selectable elements arereturned to their original values.

In addition, the speed of the focus selector is changed because of thephysics-based magnetic interaction of the focus selector with theselection element based at least on the magnetic value associated withthe selection element. For example, the physics-based magneticattraction of the selection element may cause the speed of the focusselector to increase as the focus selector moves towards the selectionelement. Similarly, the physics-based magnetic attraction of theselection element may cause the speed of the focus selector to decreaseas the focus selector moves away from the selection element.

Similarly, the magnetic interaction of the focus selector with otherselectable elements may cause a change in the speed of the focusselector. For example, the speed of the focus selector may change as itapproaches and passes an element that remains unselected. The change inthe speed of the focus selector resulting from this interaction with theunselected element is based at least in part on the magnetic value ofthe unselected element.

In some examples, the magnetic values associated with the selectableelements are virtual magnetic strengths based on a virtual pull force.

In some examples, to add additional realism and provide further ease ofusability to the user interface, the system may employ a physics-basedmodel of friction to reduce the speed of the focus selector while it isin motion. For example, the speed of the focus selector can becontinuously (or repeatedly) decreased based on a friction coefficientvalue. This physics-based friction model may simulate kinetic friction,drag friction, or the like.

In some examples, the device receives an additional input through therotation of the crown before the focus selector reaches a steady state.An object is in a steady state when the object is not being translated,rotated, or scaled. In this example, the system determines a secondchange in the crown distance value. The system also determines a seconddirection, which is based on the direction of rotation of the physicalcrown of the wearable electronic device. In response to determining thesecond change in the crown distance value, the system increases ordecreases the speed of the focus selector by applying an additionalforce to the focus selector. The change in the rate of the movement ofthe focus selector is based on the second change in the crown distancevalue and the second direction.

In some examples, once the focus selector aligns with the selectionelement and is in a steady state, the system determines that theselection element has been selected.

FIGS. 23-30 illustrate an exemplary user interface 2300 displayingmultiple user interface objects in the form of selectable elements 2302,2304, 2306, 2308 and a focus selector 2310. A user can select aselection element from among the multiple selectable elements by using aphysical crown of a wearable electronic device to move the focusselector 2310 to align with desired selection element. In some examples,additional input, such as tapping, pressing the crown or another buttonafter the alignment may be required for the user to select the selectionelement.

Crown 558 of device 550 is a user rotatable user interface input (e.g.,a rotatable input mechanism). The crown 558 can be turned in twodistinct directions: clockwise and counterclockwise. FIGS. 24-29 includerotation direction arrows illustrating the direction of crown rotationand movement direction arrows illustrating the direction of movement ofone or more user interface objects, where applicable. The rotationdirection arrows and movement direction arrows are typically not part ofthe displayed user interface, but are provided to aid in theinterpretation of the figures. In this example, a counterclockwisedirection rotation of the crown 558 is illustrated by a rotationdirection arrow pointing in the down direction. The characteristics ofthe rotation direction arrow are not indicative of the distance, speed,or acceleration with which crown 558 is rotated by a user. Instead, therotation direction arrow is indicative of the direction of rotation ofcrown 558 by the user.

FIGS. 23-30 illustrate an exemplary physics-based model that can be usedto control a user's interactions with user interface objects inconjunction with a physical crown user input device. In this example,elements 2302, 2304, 2306, 2308 are stationary and focus selector 2310is movable via user input received from crown 558. Counterclockwisemovement of the crown 558 is associated with a force on the focusselector 2310 in the down movement direction.

As described above, using a magnetic relationship between elements 2302,2304, 2306, 2308 and focus selector 2310, physics-based modeling can beused to simulate magnetic attraction between elements 1302, 1304, 1306,1308 and focus selector 1310. In addition, the movement of focusselector 2310 can be further controlled using a physics-based springmodel.

Physics-based modeling of a spring is achieved, for example, by modelinga spring attached to elements 2302 and 2308. As the focus selector 2310moves beyond the limits of the plurality of selectable elements, aspring engages the focus selector 2310, causing the focus selector to“rubberband.” For example, virtual springs 2312, 2314 may be modeledusing Hook's law. Hook's law states that the force needed to extend orcompress a spring by a distance is proportional to that distance.Phrased differently, F=kx, where F=force, k=spring coefficient, andx=distance. Springs 2312, 2314 are typically not part of the displayeduser interface, but are provided to aid in the interpretation of thefigures.

At FIG. 23, focus selector 2310 is aligned with element 2308, indicatingselection of element 2308. At FIG. 24, device 550 determines a change inthe position of crown 558 in the counterclockwise direction, asindicated by rotation direction arrow 2330. In response to determiningthe change in the position of the crown 558, the device increases thespeed of focus selector 2310, moving the focus selector 2310 in the downdirection, as indicated by movement direction arrow 2320. In oneexample, the focus selector may be associated with a mass or may have acalculated inertia.

Because element 2308 is modeled as a magnetic element and focus selector2310 is modeled as a ferromagnetic material, there is a magneticattraction between the two user interface objects.

At FIGS. 24-26, focus selector 2310 extends beyond the range of theselectable elements. As a result, spring 2314 engages the focus selector2310, causing focus selector 2310 to “rubberband” back, as illustratedin FIGS. 27-30. The spring coefficient of spring 2310 may be varied toproduce results with different characteristics.

At FIG. 30, focus selector 2310 comes to rest while aligned with element2308. The system interprets this alignment as a selection of element2308, which is achieved by the user manipulating focus selector 2310through the use of crown 558. In some examples, additional input, suchas tapping, pressing the crown or another button after the alignment maybe required for the user to select element 2308.

While element 2308 is selected, the user can activate element 2308 byone or more of many techniques. For example, the user may press on atouch-sensitive display, press on the touch-sensitive display with forceabove a predetermined threshold, press a button, or simply allow element2308 to remain selected for a predetermined amount of time. In anotherexample, aligning an element and a focus selector can be interpreted asboth a selection and an activation of the element.

In this example, movement of the focus selector is constrained along apredefined vertical path. In other examples, movement of the focusselector may be constrained along a different predefined path, or maynot be constrained to a predefined path. In this example, alignment inonly one axis (the vertical axis) is used to indicate selection of anelement. In some examples, alignment in two, three, or more axes may berequired between an element and a focus selector to indicate aselection.

FIG. 31 is a flow diagram illustrating a process 3100 for selecting anelement in a graphical user interface using a physical crown as an inputdevice. Process 3100 is performed at a wearable electronic device (e.g.,device 550 in FIG. 1) having a physical crown. In some examples, theelectronic device also includes a touch-sensitive display. The processprovides an efficient technique for selecting an element from amongmultiple elements in a graphical user interface.

At block 3102, the device causes a display of a plurality of selectableelements on a touch-sensitive display of a wearable electronic device.The device also causes a display of a focus selector. The device uses aphysics-based model to simulate magnetic attraction between theselectable elements and the focus selector. Each selectable element ofthe plurality of selectable elements is associated with a correspondingmagnetic value. The magnetic value can be the strength of an element'smagnet attraction in terms of its pull force, and each element can havea different magnetic value.

At block 3104, the device receives crown position information. Theposition information may be received as a series of pulse signals, realvalues, integer values, and the like.

At block 3106, the device determines whether a change has occurred in acrown distance value. The crown distance value is based on an angulardisplacement of the physical crown of the wearable electronic device. Achange in the crown distance value is indicative of a user providinginput to the wearable electronic device by, for example, turning thephysical crown. If the device determines that a change in the crowndistance value has not occurred, the system returns to block 3104 andcontinues receiving crown position information. If the device determinesthat a change in the crown distance value has occurred, the systemcontinues to block 3108, though the system may continue to receive crownposition information.

The device also determines a direction based on a direction of rotationof the physical crown of the wearable electronic device. For example, anup direction can be determined based on a clockwise rotation of thephysical crown. Similarly, a down direction can be determined based on acounterclockwise rotation of the physical crown. In other examples, adown direction can be determined based on a clockwise rotation of thephysical crown and an up direction can be determined based on acounterclockwise rotation of the physical crown.

At block 3108, in response to determining the change in the crowndistance value, the device causes a movement of the focus selector. Thismovement changes the focus of the plurality of selectable elements. Atleast initially, the movement of the focus selector is in the determineddirection. The movement of the focus selector may be animated. Themovement has a rate of movement (speed). Additionally, the magneticvalues of one or more of the selectable elements may be modified basedon the speed of the focus selector.

At block 3110, the system determines whether the focus selector hasextended beyond a predetermined limit. If the system determines that thefocus selector has not extended beyond a predetermined limit, the systemreturns to block 3104. If the system determines that the focus selectorhas extended beyond a predetermined limit, the system engages a virtualspring at block 3112. The virtual spring causes the focus selector toslow down and rubberband back to within the predetermined limit. Thismechanism will prevent a user from extending a focus selector too farbeyond the scope of the selectable elements. At block 3104, the systemcontinues to receive crown position information.

In some examples, to add additional realism and provide further ease ofusability to the user interface, the system may employ a physics-basedmodel of friction to reduce the speed of the focus selector while it isin motion. For example, the speed of the focus selector can becontinuously (or repeatedly) decreased based on a friction coefficientvalue. This physics-based friction model may simulate kinetic friction,drag friction, or the like.

In some examples, the device receives an additional input through therotation of the crown before the focus selector reaches a steady state.An object is in a steady state when the object is not being translated,rotated, or scaled. In this example, the system determines a secondchange in the crown distance value. The system also determines a seconddirection, which is based on the direction of rotation of the physicalcrown of the wearable electronic device. In response to determining thesecond change in the crown distance value, the system increases ordecreases the speed of the focus selector by applying an additionalforce to the focus selector. The change in the rate of the movement ofthe focus selector is based on the second change in the crown distancevalue and the second direction.

In some examples, once the focus selector aligns with the selectionelement and is in a steady state, the system determines that theselection element has been selected. In other examples, additionalinput, such as tapping, pressing the crown or another button after thealignment may be required for the user to select the selection elementthat aligns with the focus selector and is in a steady state.

FIGS. 32-38 illustrate an exemplary user interface 3200 displayingmultiple user interface objects in the form of selectable elements 3202,3204, 3206, 3208, 3210, 3212 and focus area 3220. A user can select aselection element from among the multiple selectable elements by using aphysical crown of a wearable electronic device to scroll the selectableelements 3202, 3204, 3206, 3208, 3210, 3212 to align the desiredselection element with focus area 3220. Focus area 3220 is typically notpart of the displayed user interface, but is provided to aid in theinterpretation of the figures. In some examples, additional input, suchas tapping, pressing the crown or another button after the alignment maybe required for the user to select the selection element.

Crown 558 of device 550 is a user rotatable user interface input (e.g.,a rotatable input mechanism). The crown 558 can be turned in twodistinct directions: clockwise and counterclockwise. FIGS. 32-38 includerotation direction arrows illustrating the direction of crown rotationand movement direction arrows illustrating the direction of movement ofone or more user interface objects, where applicable. The rotationdirection arrows and movement direction arrows are typically not part ofthe displayed user interface, but are provided to aid in theinterpretation of the figures. In this example, a clockwise directionrotation of the crown 558 is illustrated by a rotation direction arrowpointing in the up direction. Similarly, a counterclockwise directionrotation of the crown 558 is illustrated by a rotation direction arrowpointing in the down direction. The characteristics of the rotationdirection arrow are not indicative of the distance, speed, oracceleration with which the crown 558 is rotated by a user. Instead, therotation direction arrow is indicative of the direction of rotation ofcrown 558 by the user.

FIGS. 32-38 illustrate an exemplary scrollable list of elements using aphysics-based model that can be used to control a user's interactionswith user interface objects in conjunction with a physical crown userinput device. In this example, elements 3202, 3204, 3206, 3208, 3210,3212 are scrollable via user input received from crown 558 and the focusarea 3220 is stationary. Clockwise movement of crown 558 is associatedwith a force on elements 3202, 3204, 3206, 3208, 3210, 3212 in the upmovement direction and counterclockwise movement of crown 558 isassociated with a force on elements 3202, 3204, 3206, 3208, 3210, 3212in the down movement direction. In this example, elements 3202, 3204,3206, 3208, 3210, 3212 form a scrollable list of elements.

To facilitate a user's ability to control the movement of the scrollablelist of elements, a “magnetic” relationship is associated between eachuser selectable element and the focus area 3220. In this example, thevalue of the magnetic relationship (also referred to as a magneticvalue) between elements 3202, 3204, 3206, 3208, 3210, 3212 and focusarea 3220 is uniform. In other examples, the magnetic value of elements3202, 3204, 3206, 3208, 3210, 3212 can vary.

Using the magnetic relationship between elements 3202, 3204, 3206, 3208,3210, 3212 and focus area 3220, physics-based modeling can be used tosimulate magnetic attraction between elements 3202, 3204, 3206, 3208,3210, 3212 and focus area 3220. As will be described in further detailbelow, user interface 3200 causes an attraction between elements 3202,3204, 3206, 3208, 3210, 3212 and focus area 3220. As a result, when userinput is not received, the multiple elements scroll to ultimately reacha steady state where one element is aligned with focus area 3220. Anobject is in a steady state when the object is not being translated,rotated, or scaled. The alignment of an element with focus area 3220 isindicative of the selection of that element. This physics-based magneticmodeling results in the user interface exhibiting virtual detents.

In this example, physics-based modeling is achieved, for example, bymodeling each element 3202, 3204, 3206, 3208, 3210, 3212 as an objectmade from a magnetized material that creates its own persistent magneticfield and modeling focus area 3220 as a material that is attracted to amagnet, such as ferromagnetic materials including iron, cobalt, andnickel. In another example, the physics-based modeling can be achievedby modeling each element 3202, 3204, 3206, 3208, 3210, 3212 as an objectmade from a material that is attracted to a magnet and modeling focusarea 3220 as a material that creates its own persistent magnetic field.In another example, the physics-based modeling can be achieved bymodeling each element 3202, 3204, 3206, 3208, 3210, 3212 as an objectthat creates its own persistent magnetic field and modeling focus area3220 as a material that also creates its own persistent magnetic field,such as two magnets that attract. Each of these physics-based models canbe adapted to include magnetic fields that vary, rather than remainpersistent, based on certain factors, such as the distance between theelement and focus area 3220, the speed of the elements, the accelerationof the elements, or based on a combination of two or more factors. Forexample, the varying magnetic field may be simulated through the use ofan electromagnet, which can be turned on and off and can have a varyingstrength.

In one example, the magnetic strengths of elements 3202, 3204, 3206,3208, 3210, 3212 vary based on the speed of the scrollable list ofelements. As the speed of the scrollable list of elements increases, themagnetic strength of elements 3202, 3204, 3206, 3208, 3210, 3212 arereduced. As the speed of the scrollable list of elements increases, themagnetic strength of elements 3202, 3204, 3206, 3208, 3210, 3212 isincreased. As a result, when the scrollable list of elements is movingquickly, the elements 3202, 3204, 3206, 3208, 3210, 3212 play a reducedrole in changing the speed of the focus area as compared to when thescrollable list of elements is moving slowly.

At FIG. 32, element 3204 is aligned with focus area 3220, indicatingselection of element 3204. At FIG. 33, device 550 determines a change inthe position of crown 558 in the clockwise direction, as indicated byrotation direction arrow 3230. In response to determining the change inthe position of the crown 558, the device increases the speed of thescrollable list of elements, moving the scrollable list of elements inthe up direction, as indicated by movement direction arrow 3240. In oneexample, the scrollable list of elements may be associated with a massor may have a calculated inertia.

Because element 3204 is modeled as a magnetic element and focus area3220 is modeled as a ferromagnetic material, there is a magneticattraction between the two user interface objects. The physics-basedmodel of user interface 3200 causes a resistance of the movement ofelement 3204 away from focus area 3220 using this magnetic attraction.An element's magnetic value (e.g., the strength of an element's magnetattraction) may be modeled, for example, in terms of its pull force (theelements ability to move other objects). The pull force exerted may bebased on the pull force of either an electromagnet or a permanent magnetas described by the Maxwell equation.

At FIGS. 33 and 34, device 550 continues to determine a change in theposition of crown 558 in the clockwise direction, as indicated byrotation direction arrow 3220. In response to determining the changes inthe position of the crown 558, the device 550 adds additional speed tothe scrollable list of elements in the up direction. At the same time,the magnetic attraction of elements 3202, 3204, 3206, 3208, 3210, 3212with focus area 3220 are acting on the scrollable list of elements. Forexample, at FIG. 34, at least elements 3204 and 3206 are applying aforce to the scrollable list of elements in the down direction as aresult of the magnetic physics-based modeling. This is because theelements 3204 and 3206 are attracted to the focus area 3220. Elements3208 and 3210 are applying a force to the scrollable list of elements inthe up direction as a result of the magnetic physics-based modeling.This is because the elements 3208 and 3210 are also attracted to thefocus area 3220. In some examples, elements of the scrollable list ofelements that are not displayed also apply a force to the scrollablelist of elements.

The distance between the elements and focus area 3220 also play a rolein the amount of force the elements apply to the scrollable list ofelements. Generally, as the distance between the element and the focusarea 3220 increases, the intensity of the force between the element andthe focus area 3220 decreases. The rate of change in the intensity ofthe force can be modeled in many ways. For example, the inverse squarelaw may apply the intensity of the force as a function of the distance.More specifically, I=1/d2, where I is the intensity of the force and dis the distance. In other examples, the magnetic force can vary indirect inverse proportion to distance or can vary inversely with thethird power of distance.

In some examples, the magnetic attraction between an element and a focusarea only exists while the element is within a predetermined distancefrom focus area 3220. This simplifies calculations because the magneticforce of elements with a distance from focus area 3220 that is greaterthan the predetermined distance are not considered in determining theforces applied to the scrollable list of elements.

In some examples, to add additional realism and provide further ease ofusability to the user interface, the system may also employ aphysics-based model of friction to reduce the speed of the scrollablelist of elements while it is in motion. For example, the speed of thescrollable list of elements can be continuously (or repeatedly)decreased based on a friction coefficient value. This physics-basedfriction model may simulate kinetic friction, drag friction, or thelike.

At FIGS. 35-38, device 550 determines that there is no change in theposition of crown 558. As a result of this determination, no additionalspeed is added to the existing speed of the scrollable list of elements.However, the magnetic forces of elements 3202, 3204, 3206, 3208, 3210,3212 continue to be applied the scrollable list of elements. Similarly,the physics-based friction model continues to be applied to thescrollable list of elements. At FIGS. 35-38, element 3208 has thelargest magnetic effect on the scrollable list of elements, as comparedto the other elements of the scrollable list of elements because element3208 is the closest to focus area 3220. This physics-based magneticmodeling results in the user interface exhibiting virtual detents.

At FIG. 36, as element 3208 overshoots focus area 3220, element 3208applies a force on the scrollable list of elements in the downdirection, further reducing the speed of the scrollable list ofelements. At FIG. 37, the magnetic force applied by element 3208 on thescrollable list of elements in the down direction causes the scrollablelist of elements to move down, aligning element 3208 with focus area3220. The scrollable list of elements comes to rest while element 3208is aligned with focus area 3220. The system interprets this alignment asa selection of element 3208, which is achieved by the user manipulatingthe scrollable list of elements through the use of crown 558.

While element 3208 is selected, the user can activate element 3208 byone or more of many techniques. For example, the user may press ontouch-sensitive display 556, press on the touch-sensitive display withforce above a predetermined threshold, press button 562, or simply allowelement 3208 to remain selected for a predetermined amount of time. Inanother example, aligning an element and a focus area can be interpretedas both a selection and an activation of the element. In some examples,additional input, such as tapping, pressing the crown or another buttonafter the alignment may be required for the user to select the element.

User interface 3200 may be used, for example, for text entry on a devicewith a reduced-size display. Each element of the scrollable list ofelements can correspond to a letter (such as a letter selected fromA-Z), a word, a phrase, or a numeral (such as numeral selected from0-9). A user can scroll through the alphanumeric elements, selecting andactivating the desired elements sequentially to form a word, number,sentence, or the like. In examples where elements have variousintensities of magnetic strength, the magnetic strength of an elementassociated with a letter of the alphabet may be based on the frequencyof that letter's use. As a result, certain letters could be moremagnetic than other letters, and therefore easier to select.

In this example, movement of the scrollable list of elements isconstrained along a predefined vertical path. In other examples,movement of the scrollable list of elements may be constrained along adifferent predefined path, or may not be constrained to a predefinedpath. In this example, alignment in only one axis (the vertical axis) isused to indicate selection of an element. In some examples, alignment intwo, three, or more axes may be required between an element and a focusarea to indicate a selection.

FIG. 39 is a flow diagram illustrating a process 3900 for selecting anelement in a graphical user interface using a physical crown as an inputdevice. Process 3900 is performed at a wearable electronic device (e.g.,device 550 in FIG. 1) having a physical crown. In some examples, theelectronic device also includes a touch-sensitive display. The processprovides an efficient technique for selecting an element from amongmultiple elements in a graphical user interface.

At block 3902, the device causes a display of a plurality of selectableelements on a touch-sensitive display of a wearable electronic device.The device also registers a focus area. The focus area may be, forexample, an area, a line, or a point. The device uses a physics-basedmodel to simulate magnetic attraction between the selectable elementsand the focus area. Each selectable element of the plurality ofselectable elements is associated with a corresponding magnetic value.The magnetic value can be the strength of an element's magnet attractionin terms of its pull force, and each element can have a differentmagnetic value.

At block 3904, the device receives crown position information. Theposition information may be received as a series of pulse signals, realvalues, integer values, and the like.

At block 3906, the device determines whether a change has occurred in acrown distance value. The crown distance value is based on an angulardisplacement of the physical crown of the wearable electronic device. Achange in the crown distance value is indicative of a user providinginput to the wearable electronic device by, for example, turning thephysical crown. If the device determines that a change in the crowndistance value has not occurred, the system returns to block 3904 andcontinues receiving crown position information. If the device determinesthat a change in the crown distance value has occurred, the systemcontinues to block 3908, though the system may continue to receive crownposition information.

The device also determines a direction based on a direction of rotationof the physical crown of the wearable electronic device. For example, anup direction can be determined based on a clockwise rotation of thephysical crown. Similarly, a down direction can be determined based on acounterclockwise rotation of the physical crown. In other examples, adown direction can be determined based on a clockwise rotation of thephysical crown and an up direction can be determined based on acounterclockwise rotation of the physical crown.

At block 3908, in response to determining the change in the crowndistance value, the devices causes a movement of the plurality ofselectable elements. The direction of the movement is such that aselection element of the plurality of selectable elements gets closer tothe focus area than it was before the movement. This movement changesthe focus of the plurality of selectable elements. At least initially,the movement of the plurality of selectable elements is in thedetermined direction. The movement of the plurality of selectableelements may be animated. The movement of the plurality of selectableelements has a rate of movement (speed).

At block 3910, the magnetic values of one or more of the selectableelements are modified based on the speed of the plurality of selectableelements. In one example, the magnetic values of one or more selectableelements are inversely related to the speed of the plurality ofselectable elements. For example, when the plurality of selectableelements has a speed above a first threshold, the magnetic values of theselectable elements are reduced by a first factor (e.g. 10) from theiroriginal values. When the plurality of selectable elements has a speedbelow the first threshold and above a second threshold, the magneticvalues of the selectable elements are reduced by a second factor (e.g.5) from their original values. When the plurality of selectable elementsfurther slows down and has a speed below the second threshold, themagnetic values of the selectable elements are returned to theiroriginal values. The first factor is larger than the second factor.

In addition, the speed of the plurality of selectable elements ischanged because of the physics-based magnetic interaction of theplurality of selectable elements with the focus area based at least onthe magnetic value associated with the selection element. For example,the physics-based magnetic attraction of the selection element to thefocus area may cause the speed of the plurality of selectable elementsto increase as the selection element moves towards the focus area.Similarly, the physics-based magnetic attraction of the selectionelement to the focus area may cause the speed of the plurality ofselectable elements to decrease as the selection element moves away fromthe focus area. Similarly, the magnetic interaction of the focus areawith other selectable elements of the plurality of selectable elementsmay cause a change in the speed of the plurality of selectable elements.

In some examples, the magnetic values associated with the selectableelements are virtual magnetic strengths based on a virtual pull forcebetween the selectable element and the focus area.

In some examples, to add additional realism and provide further ease ofusability to the user interface, the system may employ a physics-basedmodel of friction to reduce the speed of the plurality of selectableelements while it is in motion. For example, the speed of the pluralityof selectable elements can be continuously (or repeatedly) decreasedbased on a friction coefficient value. This physics-based friction modelmay simulate kinetic friction, drag friction, or the like.

In some examples, the device receives an additional input through therotation of the crown before the plurality of selectable elements reacha steady state. An object is in a steady state when the object is notbeing translated, rotated, or scaled. In this example, the systemdetermines a second change in the crown distance value. The system alsodetermines a second direction, which is based on the direction ofrotation of the physical crown of the wearable electronic device. Inresponse to determining the second change in the crown distance value,the system increases or decreases the speed of the plurality ofselectable elements by applying an additional force to the plurality ofselectable elements. The change in the rate of the movement of theplurality of selectable elements is based on the second change in thecrown distance value and the second direction.

In some examples, once the selection element aligns with the focus areaand the plurality of selectable elements are in a steady state, thesystem determines that the selection element has been selected.

FIGS. 40-45 illustrate an exemplary user interface 4000 displayingmultiple user interface objects in the form of selectable elements 4002,4004 and a focus area 4006. A scrollable list of elements includesselectable elements 4002, 4004. A user can select a selection elementfrom among the multiple selectable elements by using a physical crown ofa wearable electronic device to move the scrollable list of elements toalign a desired selection element with the focus area 4006.

Crown 558 of device 550 is a user rotatable user interface input. Crown558 can be turned in two distinct directions: clockwise andcounterclockwise. FIGS. 40-45 include rotation direction arrowsillustrating the direction of crown rotation and movement directionarrows illustrating the direction of movement of the scrollable list ofelements, where applicable. The rotation direction arrows and movementdirection arrows are typically not part of the displayed user interface,but are provided to aid in the interpretation of the figures. In thisexample, a counterclockwise direction rotation of crown 558 isillustrated by a rotation direction arrow pointing in the downdirection. The characteristics of the rotation direction arrow are notindicative of the distance, speed, or acceleration with which crown 558is rotated by a user. Instead, the rotation direction arrow isindicative of the direction of rotation of crown 558 by the user.

FIGS. 40-45 illustrate an exemplary physics-based model that can be usedto control a user's interactions with user interface objects inconjunction with a physical crown user input device. In this example,focus area 4006 is stationary and elements 4002, 4004 are movable viauser input received from crown 558. Counterclockwise movement of crown558 is associated with a force on the scrollable list of elements in thedown movement direction.

As described above, using a magnetic relationship between focus area4006 and elements 4002, 4004, physics-based modeling can be used tosimulate magnetic attraction between elements focus area 4006 andelements 4002, 4004. In addition, the movement of the scrollable list ofelements can be further controlled using a physics-based spring model.

Physics-based modeling of a spring is achieved, for example, by modelinga spring attached to one or more ends of the scrollable list ofelements. As the scrollable list of elements moves beyond apredetermined limit, a spring engages the scrollable list of elements,causing the scrollable list of elements to “rubberband.” For example,virtual spring 4008 in FIGS. 41-44 may be modeled using Hook's law.Hook's law states that the force needed to extend or compress a springby a distance is proportional to that distance. Phrased differently,F=kx, where F=force, k=spring coefficient, and x=distance. Spring 4008is typically not part of the displayed user interface, but is providedto aid in the interpretation of the figures.

At FIG. 40, element 4002 is aligned with focus area 4006, indicatingselection of element 4002. At FIG. 41, device 550 determines a change inthe position of crown 558 in the counterclockwise direction, asindicated by rotation direction arrow 4010. In response to determiningthe change in the position of the crown 558, the device increases thespeed of the scrollable list of elements, moving the elements 4002, 4004in the down direction, as indicated by movement direction arrow 4012. Inone example, the scrollable list of elements may be associated with amass or may have a calculated inertia.

Because element 4002 is modeled as a magnetic element and focus area4006 is modeled as a ferromagnetic material, there is a magneticattraction between the two user interface objects.

At FIGS. 41-42, the scrollable list of elements extends beyond thepredetermined limit. As a result, spring 4008 engages the scrollablelist of elements, causing the scrollable list of elements to“rubberband” back, as illustrated in FIGS. 43-45. The spring coefficientof spring 4008 may be varied to produce results with differentcharacteristics.

At FIG. 45, element 4002 comes to rest while aligned with focus area4006. The system interprets this alignment as a selection of element4006, which is achieved by the user manipulating the scrollable list ofelements through the use of crown 558. In some examples, additionalinput, such as tapping, pressing the crown or another button after thealignment may be required for the user to select element 4006.

While element 4002 is selected, the user can activate element 4002 byone or more of many techniques. For example, the user may press on atouch-sensitive display, press a button, or simply allow element 4002 toremain selected for a predetermined amount of time. In another example,aligning an element and a focus area can be interpreted as both aselection and an activation of the element.

In this example, movement of the scrollable list of elements isconstrained along a predefined vertical path. In other examples,movement of the scrollable list of elements may be constrained along adifferent predefined path, or may not be constrained to a predefinedpath. In this example, alignment in only one axis (the vertical axis) isused to indicate selection of an element. In some examples, alignment intwo, three, or more axes may be required between an element and a focusarea to indicate a selection.

FIG. 46 is a flow diagram illustrating a process 4600 for selecting anelement in a graphical user interface using a physical crown as an inputdevice. Process 4600 is performed at a wearable electronic device (e.g.,device 550 in FIG. 1) having a physical crown. In some examples, theelectronic device also includes a touch-sensitive display. The processprovides an efficient technique for selecting an element from amongmultiple elements in a graphical user interface.

At block 4602, the device causes a display of a plurality of selectableelements on a touch-sensitive display of a wearable electronic device.The device also registers a focus area. The device uses a physics-basedmodel to simulate magnetic attraction between the selectable elementsand the focus area. Each selectable element of the plurality ofselectable elements is associated with a corresponding magnetic value.The magnetic value can be the strength of an element's magnet attractionin terms of its pull force, and each element can have a differentmagnetic value.

At block 4604, the device receives crown position information. Theposition information may be received as a series of pulse signals, realvalues, integer values, and the like.

At block 4606, the device determines whether a change has occurred in acrown distance value. The crown distance value is based on an angulardisplacement of the physical crown of the wearable electronic device. Achange in the crown distance value is indicative of a user providinginput to the wearable electronic device by, for example, turning thephysical crown. If the device determines that a change in the crowndistance value has not occurred, the system returns to block 4604 andcontinues receiving crown position information. If the device determinesthat a change in the crown distance value has occurred, the systemcontinues to block 4608, though the system may continue to receive crownposition information.

The device also determines a direction based on a direction of rotationof the physical crown of the wearable electronic device. For example, anup direction can be determined based on a clockwise rotation of thephysical crown. Similarly, a down direction can be determined based on acounterclockwise rotation of the physical crown. In other examples, adown direction can be determined based on a clockwise rotation of thephysical crown and an up direction can be determined based on acounterclockwise rotation of the physical crown.

At block 4608, in response to determining the change in the crowndistance value, the device causes a movement of the plurality ofselectable elements. This movement changes the focus of the plurality ofselectable elements. At least initially, the movement of the pluralityof selectable elements is in the determined direction. The movement ofthe plurality of selectable elements may be animated. The movement has arate of movement (speed). Additionally, the magnetic values of one ormore of the selectable elements may be modified based on the speed ofthe plurality of selectable elements.

At block 4610, the system determines whether the plurality of selectableelements has extended beyond a predetermined limit. If the systemdetermines that the plurality of selectable elements has not extendedbeyond a predetermined limit, the system returns to block 4604. If thesystem determines that the plurality of selectable elements has extendedbeyond a predetermined limit, the system engages a virtual spring atblock 4612. The virtual spring causes the plurality of selectableelements to slow down and rubberband back to within the predeterminedlimit. This mechanism will prevent a user from extending the pluralityof selectable elements too far beyond the predetermined limit. At block4604, the system continues to receive crown position information.

In some examples, to add additional realism and provide further ease ofusability to the user interface, the system may employ a physics-basedmodel of friction to reduce the speed of the plurality of selectableelements while it is in motion. For example, the speed of the pluralityof selectable elements can be continuously (or repeatedly) decreasedbased on a friction coefficient value. This physics-based friction modelmay simulate kinetic friction, drag friction, or the like.

In some examples, the device receives an additional input through therotation of the crown before the plurality of selectable elementsreaches a steady state. An object is in a steady state when the objectis not being translated, rotated, or scaled. In this example, the systemdetermines a second change in the crown distance value. The system alsodetermines a second direction, which is based on the direction ofrotation of the physical crown of the wearable electronic device. Inresponse to determining the second change in the crown distance value,the system increases or decreases the speed of the plurality ofselectable elements by applying an additional force to the plurality ofselectable elements. The change in the rate of the movement of theplurality of selectable elements is based on the second change in thecrown distance value and the second direction.

In some examples, once the selection element of the plurality ofselectable elements aligns with the focus area and the plurality ofselectable elements is in a steady state, the system determines that theselection element has been selected. In some examples, additional input,such as tapping, pressing the crown or another button after thealignment may be required for the user to select the selection element.

In some examples, device 550 can provide haptic feedback based on thecontent displayed on the display 556. When a user interface object isdisplayed on the display 556, the device can modify the appearance ofthe object based on a change in a crown distance value received at thedevice 550 based on a rotation of crown 558. When a criterion issatisfied, a tactile output is output at the device 550.

In one example, the object is a scrollable list of elements, such as isdescribed above. The criterion is satisfied when a beginning or an endof the scrollable list is reached. In another example, the object is azoomable visual element. The criterion is satisfied when a maximum orminimum zoom level of the zoomable visual element is reached. In anotherexample, the object is a scrollable list of selectable elements. Thecriterion is satisfied each time a selectable element of the scrollablelist occupies a selection area.

One or more of the functions relating to a user interface can beperformed by a system similar or identical to system 4700 shown in FIG.47. System 4700 can include instructions stored in a non-transitorycomputer readable storage medium, such as memory 4704 or storage device4702, and executed by processor 4706. The instructions can also bestored and/or transported within any non-transitory computer readablestorage medium for use by or in connection with an instruction executionsystem, apparatus, or device, such as a computer-based system,processor-containing system, or other system that can fetch theinstructions from the instruction execution system, apparatus, or deviceand execute the instructions. In the context of this document, a“non-transitory computer readable storage medium” can be any medium thatcan contain or store the program for use by or in connection with theinstruction execution system, apparatus, or device. The non-transitorycomputer readable storage medium can include, but is not limited to, anelectronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, orsemiconductor system, apparatus or device, a portable computer diskette(magnetic), a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), anerasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM) (magnetic), a portableoptical disc such a CD, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD, DVD-R, or DVD-RW, or flashmemory such as compact flash cards, secured digital cards, USB memorydevices, memory sticks, and the like.

The instructions can also be propagated within any transport medium foruse by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus,or device, such as a computer-based system, processor-containing system,or other system that can fetch the instructions from the instructionexecution system, apparatus, or device and execute the instructions. Inthe context of this document, a “transport medium” can be any mediumthat can communicate, propagate or transport the program for use by orin connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, ordevice. The transport medium can include, but is not limited to, anelectronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic or infrared wired orwireless propagation medium.

In some examples, system 4700 can be included within device 550. Inthese examples, processor 4706 can be the same or a different processthan processor 570. Processor 4706 can be configured to receive theoutput from encoder 572, buttons 560, 562, and 564, and fromtouch-sensitive display 556. Processor 4706 can process these inputs asdescribed above with respect to the processes described and illustrated.It is to be understood that the system is not limited to the componentsand configuration of FIG. 47, but can include other or additionalcomponents in multiple configurations according to various examples.

The foregoing description, for purpose of explanation, has beendescribed with reference to specific embodiments. However, theillustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or tolimit the various described embodiments to the precise forms disclosed.Many modifications and variations are possible in view of the aboveteachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to bestexplain the principles of the various described embodiments and theirpractical applications, to thereby enable others skilled in the art tobest utilize the various described embodiments with variousmodifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

What is claimed is:
 1. A non-transitory computer-readable storage mediumcomprising instructions for execution by one or more processors of anelectronic device with a display and a rotatable input mechanism, theinstructions for: displaying, on the display, an object in accordancewith a value of a characteristic of the object, the value being within arange of values of the characteristic; receiving a user input request,the user input request representing rotation of the rotatable inputmechanism; in response to receiving the user input request, determiningwhether the user input request causes the value of the characteristic ofthe object to transition into range of a zone of an anchor, the anchorhaving a start value, an intermediate value, and an end value within therange of values of the characteristic, and the zone of the anchor beingbetween the start value and the end value; and in accordance with adetermination that the user input request causes the value of thecharacteristic of the object to transition into range of the zone of theanchor: updating the value of the characteristic of the object based onthe intermediate value of the anchor; and updating display of the objectin accordance with the updated value of the characteristic of theobject.
 2. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim1, wherein updating display of the object in accordance with the updatedvalue of the characteristic of the object comprises animating the objectto reflect the updated value of the characteristic of the object.
 3. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein theintermediate value is not equal to the start value or the end value. 4.The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, whereinthe intermediate value is equal to the start value or the end value. 5.The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, whereinupdating the value of the characteristic of the object based on theintermediate value of the anchor comprises updating the value of thecharacteristic of the object to be equal to the intermediate value ofthe anchor.
 6. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium ofclaim 1, wherein the start value and the end value are different.
 7. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein theintermediate value is not the average of the start value and the endvalue.
 8. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim1, farther comprising instructions for: in accordance with adetermination that the user input request causes the value of thecharacteristic of the object to transition into range of the zone of theanchor, initiating a duration during which received user input requeststo manipulate the characteristic of the object do not affect thedisplayed characteristic of the object.
 9. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the duration isbased on the rate of change of the value of the characteristic of theobject when the value of the characteristic of the object transitionsinto range of the zone of the anchor.
 10. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium of claim 1, further comprisinginstructions for: in accordance with a determination that the user inputrequest does not cause the value of the characteristic of the object totransition into range of the zone of the anchor or into range of a zoneof a second anchor, the second anchor having a second start value, asecond intermediate value, and a second end value, and the second anchorhaving a zone between the second start value and the second end value:updating the value of the characteristic of the object in accordancewith the user input; updating display of the object in accordance withthe updated value of the characteristic of the object; identifying aclosest anchor, from among at least the anchor and the second anchor,based on the updated value of the characteristic of the object inaccordance with the user input; subsequently updating the value of thecharacteristic of the object based on the corresponding intermediatevalue of the identified closest anchor; and updating display of theobject in accordance with the subsequently updated value of thecharacteristic of the object.
 11. The non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium of claim 10, wherein: identifying the closest anchorcomprises: calculating a difference between the updated value of thecharacteristic of the object in accordance with the user input requestand the intermediate value of the anchor; and calculating a differencebetween the updated value of the characteristic of the object inaccordance with the user input request and the intermediate value of thesecond anchor.
 12. The non-transitory computer-readable storage mediumof claim 11, wherein: identifying the closest anchor comprisesidentifying the nearest of the start value and end value of the anchorand the second anchor.
 13. The non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium of claim 1, further comprising instructions for: in accordancewith a determination that the user input request causes the value of thecharacteristic of the object to transition into range of the zone of theanchor, performing a haptic alert at the electronic device.
 14. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein theobject is a document and the characteristic of the object is scrollposition, and further comprising instructions for: analyzing at least aportion of the document, wherein analyzing at least the portion of thedocument comprises identifying locations within the document.
 15. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein thelocations the document include one or more of: one or more pageboundaries of at least the portion of the document; one or moreparagraph boundaries of at least the portion of the document; and one ormore keyword locations of at least the portion of the document; andfurther comprising instructions for: assigning anchors to some or all ofthe identified page boundaries, paragraph boundaries, and keywordlocations of the document.
 16. The non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium of claim 1, further comprising instructions for:accessing a first set of anchor points; assigning respective anchors tothe first set of anchor points; detecting a change in value of thecharacteristic of the object; in response to detecting the change in thevalue of the characteristic of the object, accessing a second set ofanchor points; and assigning respective anchors to the second set ofanchor points, wherein the first set of anchor points and the second setof anchor points are different.
 17. The non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium of claim 1, wherein: determining whether the user inputcauses the value of the characteristic of the object to transition intorange of the zone of the anchor comprises: determining whether the valueof the characteristic of the object is within a predetermined subset ofthe range of values of the characteristic; in accordance with adetermination that the value of the characteristic of the object iswithin the predetermined subset of the range of values of thecharacteristic, calculating the value of the characteristic of theobject within the range of values of the characteristic based on theuser input request and in accordance with a first function; and inaccordance with a determination that the value of the characteristic ofthe object is not within the predetermined subset of the range of valuesof the characteristic, calculating the value of the characteristic ofthe object within the range of values of the characteristic based on theuser input request and in accordance with a second function, wherein thefirst function and the second function are different functions.
 18. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein theobject is selected from a group consisting of a document and an image.19. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 1,wherein the characteristic of the object is selected from the groupconsisting of scroll position, zoom size, and degree of rotation.
 20. Amethod, comprising: at an electronic device with a display and arotatable input mechanism: displaying, on the display, an object inaccordance with a value of a characteristic of the object, the valuebeing within a range of values of the characteristic; receiving a userinput request, the user input request representing rotation of therotatable input mechanism; in response to receiving the user inputrequest, determining whether the user input request causes the value ofthe characteristic of the object to transition into range of a zone ofan anchor, the anchor having a start value, an intermediate value, andan end value within the range of values of the characteristic, and thezone of the anchor being between the start value and the end value; andin accordance with a determination that the user input request causesthe value of the characteristic of the object to transition into rangeof the zone of the anchor: updating the value of the characteristic ofthe object based on the intermediate value of the anchor; and updatingdisplay of the object in accordance with the updated value of thecharacteristic of the object.
 21. An electronic device, comprising: arotatable input mechanism; a display; and one or more processors coupledto the rotatable input mechanism and the display, the one or moreprocessors configured to: display, on the display, an object inaccordance with a value of a characteristic of the object, the valuebeing within a range of values of the characteristic; receive a userinput request, the user input request representing rotation of therotatable input mechanism; in response to receiving the user inputrequest, determine whether the user input request causes the value ofthe characteristic of the object to transition into range of a zone ofan anchor, the anchor having a start value, an intermediate value, andan end value within the range of values of the characteristic, and thezone of the anchor being between the start value and the end value; andin accordance with a determination that the user input request causesthe value of the characteristic of the object to transition into rangeof the zone of the anchor: update the value of the characteristic of theobject based on the intermediate value of the anchor; and update displayof the object in accordance with the updated value of the characteristicof the object.